The year-plus process of deciding to close three schools within the Selma City School System has provided board members mounds of financial, statistical and operational information on the school system. Much of that information will be key factors for some members in the expected closure vote Thursday.

In a recent flurry of information released to board members and the Times-Journal, one area was heavily scrutinized by board members; student and property safety.

One area that stood our more than others was the vandalism and theft of some of air conditioning units at some of the system’s schools.

Between July 2010 and April 2011, 34 air conditioning units of varying sizes were stolen from 11 area schools. Nearly half of those, 16, were stolen from one school in particular, Knox Elementary. Only one unit was stolen during that same time period from one of the schools targeted for closure, Byrd Elementary School.

Officials said the amount of units stolen is in no way connected to crime within the city and should not bear on the decision of closing schools.

“No neighborhood is exempt from crime and I don’t buy the idea that air conditioning theft is connected to crime,” said Selma City Superintendent of Education Don Jefferson. “We want all of our schools to be safe and we’ve taken measures to secure areas. We’re beefing up after-school hour security and we’ve spoken with Alabama Power to provide extra lighting around the buildings.”

Selma Chief of Police William Riley said he’s concerned about the loss of units and he’s asking neighborhoods to get involved in stopping air conditioner theft.

“We want to increase our patrols as much as possible at schools, and if anyone sees suspicious activity call 911,” Riley said. “If you see vehicles parked in school parking lots at night, please call dispatch.

“Schools can no longer leave air conditioners unattended, and we have to look at ways to see how we can secure units everywhere,” Riley added.

The safety topic, theft and event transportation for students who might be transferred to other schools if some schools are closed has become an issue for those who want to compare the environment around Byrd Elementary and that surrounding Knox Elementary.

But Jefferson says the educational and safety environment of a school depends on parents and the community playing a large part in the process of what should be done in the Selma City School system.

“They (parents) help us solve the problems in our system on an unconditional level,” Jefferson said. “As a school system, we provide vital things, but parents can do more to assist us and be the ‘hero’ in the situation.”

The school board is expected to vote on the proposed closure plan during their 6 p.m. meeting Thursday at Payne Elementary School.

“We’re going to see what happens,” Jefferson said.