What If?

The concept of school safety has changed quite a bit over the last five to six years, not only around the country but around the state. I can remember early in my tenure when the doors to the facilities were left unlocked, and in the warm autumn months at the start of the school year it was standard practice to prop doors open so we could take advantage of a nice cross breeze. Times have certainly changed! From a physical standpoint, during normal business hours our facilities are completely locked down. Main entrances are locked and visitors have to be buzzed in to get into the school. Security cameras adorn our hallways, both seen and unseen; monitoring the activity of our school buildings 24/7.

But that is not all! Much of the work that is being completed with Phase III of our renovation project has been conceptualized with a goal of improved student safety! In fact the new elementary entrance and commons expansion, (the centerpiece of the project) was borne from a vision where we wanted to eliminate the blind entrance into the facility. We wanted to create an environment where patrons not only have to be buzzed into the facility, but are required to pass through the office to gain admittance to the instructional space. Further, all the exterior doors at both attendance centers are being replaced and will be embedded with electronic key fob access. 

It is my hope these physical and visible safety features will help all our constituents rest easy in knowing that we are doing all we can to ensure a safe and secure learning environment for all our young people. Yet at the same time we are doing much more. 

At the end of the school year, all of our faculty participated in a day long professional development opportunity in collaboration with Central Rivers AEA on mental health first aid. This training was designed to help our faculty understand and recognize when students may need help, and to properly position ourselves in a manner that enables us to connect families with appropriate services. In addition, at our school board meeting on Monday evening, the Board of Directors met in closed session to review and discuss our Emergency Operations Plan, which outlines management's response if an event were ever to occur in the school district. 

It is our sincere hope none of these safety features or plans every have to be implemented. Nevertheless, we remain vigilant in our efforts to enhance our facilities, refine our plans, and be prepared for that 'What If' moment.