MANCHESTER, N.J. – Manchester Township schools and police are now using the same radio system, giving district employees another way to communicate directly with law enforcement as the 2026-27 school year gets underway.
The final piece of the rollout came last week when Manchester Township Police Emergency Management Coordinator Officer Conner Yatauro trained school employees on the new equipment. Transportation Director Michelle Boyle and other district personnel took part in the hands-on session.
The upgraded radios replace a system that was separate from the one used by police. By moving the district onto the same platform recently adopted by the Manchester Township Police Department, officials expect more reliable communication both within the school system and between school employees and officers.
Staff Trained on New Radios Before School Year Gets Underway
Yatauro walked employees through the mobile radios, including their security features and day-to-day operation. The training was intended to make sure staff members could use the equipment before it was needed during an emergency.
The district described the session as the final step in implementing the new system.
Shared radio systems can be particularly useful when school transportation is involved, since buses and transportation personnel are spread throughout the township rather than stationed inside a single building.
Manchester Township covers a large portion of Ocean County, making communication between schools, buses and first responders an important part of the district’s emergency planning.
Police and school officials did not report a specific threat or incident that prompted the upgrade. The system was introduced as part of the ongoing safety coordination between the district and the Manchester Township Police Department.
Manchester Township schools and police are now using the same radio system after staff completed training aimed at improving emergency communications.