During a recent government meeting, school safety protocols were a primary focus, particularly regarding the training and preparedness of staff and students in the event of emergencies. The discussion highlighted the importance of developmentally appropriate safety training, especially for younger students, who do not participate in certain drills like ALICE (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evacuate). Instead, these students engage in fire drills, which are conducted in accordance with local fire department regulations.

The meeting revealed that last year, students at Elmwood School expressed anxiety over frequent fire drills caused by wiring issues, prompting the administration to reassess their approach to safety training. For middle school students, an intruder drill was conducted recently, simulating a scenario where an intruder entered the building. Teachers were trained to make real-time decisions based on the situation, emphasizing the importance of evacuation over lockdown in certain circumstances.

The district has implemented a comprehensive safety structure, including a school safety task force that meets regularly with local law enforcement and emergency services. Each school has a crisis response team, and all staff members receive training on the ALICE protocol, which is designed to empower individuals to make decisions based on their immediate environment during a crisis.

The meeting also addressed the presence of school resource officers (SROs), noting that while there is funding for two SROs, currently only one is assigned to oversee all five school buildings. The SRO's role includes conducting lock checks and ensuring that doors remain secure. The swift response of law enforcement during a recent swatting incident was praised, with police arriving at the high school within four minutes.

Concerns were raised about the effectiveness of evacuation methods, particularly regarding first-floor classrooms and window accessibility. The administration acknowledged these challenges and committed to ongoing evaluations of safety protocols to ensure the well-being of students and staff.

Overall, the meeting underscored the district's commitment to maintaining a safe educational environment through regular training, collaboration with law enforcement, and responsive measures to address community concerns.