CAMPUS SAFETY ENHANCEMENTS outh Fayette SOUTH FAYETTE TOWNSHIP SCHOOL DISTRICT NEWS
South Fayette Township School District continues to prioritize student safety with a combination of innovative technology and dedicated personnel. This year, the district welcomed Mr. Michael E. Ziemianski as its first full-time School Police Officer( SPO) and implemented the Centegix crisis alert system, creating a safer, more responsive environment for students and staff.
Campus Police Force
Officer Ziemianski joined the district on August 11, 2025, bringing decades of experience in law enforcement and military service. A Major in the Army National Guard, he has served as Chief of Theater Security Operations and Exercise Planning and spent the past year as a resource officer at Fort Cherry School District.
“ After many successful years of partnering with the South Fayette Township Police Department to have a School Resource Officer at the high school, we explored the option to have our own full-time officer on campus,” said Superintendent Dr. Michelle Miller.“ We are thrilled to welcome Officer Ziemianski as not only an employee, but as a mentor for our Lion Learners.”
To institute an SPO, the district needed to launch its own police force, following in the footsteps of numerous districts in the region. The South Fayette School Police Department( SFSPD) became official in early September. It is led by Chief Ziemianski and supported by armed security officers in each of the academic buildings on campus.
Along with completing the steps to become a state recognized police department, in his first few months, Chief Ziemianski has focused on strengthening campus safety. He refreshed all classroom emergency“ go bags,” partnered in launching the Centegix emergency response system detailed below, and integrated SFSPD into the Allegheny County 911 Center to expedite emergency responses to the campus. He also worked with sixth graders on Project PRIDE, covering information and prevention regarding vaping, drugs, alcohol, bullying, peer pressure, and cyber safety.
Looking ahead, Ziemianski plans classroom visits across all grade levels, including collaborating with high school forensic science classes, and will continue
38 SOUTH FAYETTE improving security cameras, first aid readiness, and proactive training. He also oversees school security officers, supports students and staff through conflict resolution and crisis intervention, and collaborates closely with township police to ensure the safety and well-being of the South Fayette community.
Advanced Safety with Centegix The district’ s new Centegix system empowers staff to request immediate assistance anywhere on campus with the push of a wearable panic button. Whether it’ s a medical emergency, behavioral incident, or a life-threatening situation, Centegix quickly notifies response teams that include administration, counselors, security officers, the SPO, and nurses, and will also alert first responders when necessary as it is directly tied to Allegheny County 911.
As the first district in Allegheny County to implement the Centegix rapid incident response system, all SF employees have received a Centegix badge, featuring the panic button, which they wear alongside their district ID. It is anticipated that when incidents do occur, most will fall within the realm necessitating staff response. However, in the case of a critical incident, such as a violent intruder, badge wearers can initiate a Campus Alert which is integrated with 911, building intercoms, staff computers, and mobile devices, ensuring a fast, coordinated response. Such incidents also activate visual alert beacons in every room / office