Mr. James Rice, the Security Assistant at Poolesville, has been a new addition to the security staff for the last seven months, starting in July 2024. Rice retired from the Department of Corrections after 25 years of service. His past experience working as a substitute security guard at Watkins Mill High School and North Bethesda Middle School aided in his skill here at Poolesville. 

Rice was a Poolesville High School graduate in 1989 and has a strong connection to this community, having lived here for 30 years. He sees Poolesville as “a special place that’s very family-oriented.” When asked questions on his motivations to work at Poolesville he says he “just wants to give back to the community.”

When Rice was in the Department of Corrections, he worked with criminal activity and typically dealt with gangs. He said the skills he learned while being an officer taught him the importance of “communications and relating to people in different situations,” and now he utilizes these skills when working with students.

With the new building coming along the most recent challenge for security is that “there’s too many doors,” States Rice.