D.C. School Security Contractor Appears in Financial Trouble

The D.C. public schools have established "contingency" security plans after a private contractor that helps guard school buildings appeared to be in financial trouble, a spokeswoman said Tuesday.

Hawk One Security currently has about 300 guards in schools who work alongside officers from the Metropolitan Police Department.

D.C. schools spokeswoman Jennifer Calloway said in an e-mail that Hawk One's problems were "not unanticipated" and that the schools had worked with MPD "to ensure there is an increased police presence in public schools" while new contractors are found.

Security in the D.C. public schools was criticized by officials last year. At the time, D.C. schools chancellor Michelle A. Rhee said that she didn't have plans to replace Hawk One but would increase the training the officers were given.

Company officials could not be reached for comment, but released a statement saying that it "has had some financial challenges over the last several months due to the lack of timely payments by the D.C. government. As a result, paychecks to a small percentage of employees could not be deposited." The statement said all employees would be paid by Wednesday.

The company recently lost a contract to secure city government buildings, which has contributed to its financial problems.