New Clarence SROs Share Excitement for Role

The newest school resource officers in the Clarence Central School District shared their excitement as they began their work providing safety to school buildings and connecting with students and staff.

Joining the District are Robert Ellis and Scott Piel, who arrive in the role with decades of experience with area law enforcement agencies. Ellis will support Clarence Center Elementary School and Sheridan Hill Elementary School, while Piel will support Clarence Middle School. The SROs are placed in the District in partnership with the Town of Clarence.

Ellis’ 24-year career in the New York State Police was primarily spent in Clarence, which included roles from road patrol to marine and bicycle details. He said Clarence’s close-knit feeling can be found in a variety of ways, from the people he met to seeing full stands at a Clarence varsity football game.

“Clarence is a special kind of community. It’s one of the biggest small towns there is,” Ellis said. “Everyone’s tied together in one way or another.”

Piel served for 22 years with the Erie County Sheriff’s Office, which included time as a detective, and his professional experience includes service as a volunteer firefighter. Piel reflected on the teachers and mentors that positively impacted his life, and hoped he could provide a similar impact on the school community. 

“If I can connect with a few kids each year and be a good role model and someone they can talk to, that would be great,” he said. 

Piel said he saw the impact of the role through the work of his wife Ashley, an Erie County Sheriff’s Deputy who serves as a school resource officer in Alden.

Piel and Ellis join fellow officers Michael Ballow (Clarence High School) and Jill Pezzino (Ledgeview Elementary School, Harris Hill Elementary School) in providing safety and security to students and staff throughout the District. 

“Every student deserves to feel safe, supported, and connected at school, and our school resource officers play an important role in making that happen,” said Dr. Matt Frahm, Clarence Central School District Superintendent. “We’re thankful for our partnership with the Town of Clarence in making this work possible, and for our Board of Education for prioritizing student safety.”