asba safer schools presentation 2015 (2)
TRANSCRIPT
Safer Schools:A Priority and a Reality
BENTON SCHOOL DISTRICT
Jeff S. Collum- SuperintendentJeff Morrow- Board Member
Kevin Chastain- Facilities Director
Introduction of District Team
• Encourage proactive thinking about safety and security
• Reflect on current practices• Make safety a priority in the conversation• Share our experiences, efforts and ideas• Collaborate with others
Why are we here today?
“The Day of Adversity”
Why is safety so important to me?
John Tyler High School
September 23, 20098:10 a.m.
9-23-09A day:
• I will never forget• I had more questions than answers• I began to understand personally that schools are no
longer the same• That made me look and think about safety differently
than before• I hope you never have to see!
Tragedy
Series of Events
• Building lock-down• Panic, fear and disbelief• Acting vs. thinking and overthinking• Evacuation and emergency response • Media and law enforcement overload• Staff and student mayhem• Next three to six months - media and community
blitz
A Strong Tradition of Pride
A Great School
Great Students
State Competitive Athletics
What to do in the face of adversity
“Think on your feet”
• Be calm and confident• Have a plan• Know your plan• Be flexible• Communicate
Lessons Learned and Safety Measures Taken
New Programs
New Programs
A Campus Forever Changed
“Put your money where your mouth is!”OR
“Align your resources with your priorities”
Make Safety #1
Set district goals to address the following areas:
Facilities, Personnel, Programs, Technology, Cameras,
Visitor Procedures
Board Support
Financial Impact
• 2013-2015 approximately $200,000 was allocated towards safety and security upgrades district wide
• SRO staff was doubled in two years• District-wide cameras and card swipe entries• Training
City and County WideSafety Response Drill
• Card Swipe Entries• 2-Tier Entries• Cameras
Safety Measures
• Additional SROs• Rave Panic Button System Pilot School
• Hall Pass Visitor System• District-Wide Communication (Alert Now/Blackboard)
• Campus Numbering System
Other Safety Measures
C.E.R.T. Campus Emergency Response Teams
Safety Planning andTeam Formation
Benton SRO Program
Read to Succeed Program
The SRO’s participate in the district- sponsored “Read to Succeed” program by going into classes and reading books to the kids.
This program was adopted by the Benton Police Department as additional officers and staff were recruited to join the program and get involved in reading to the kids.
SRO’s in Action!!!Junior Police Academy
The SROs put on a program during the summer months for high school aged kids. This two- week program gives the students insight into what it takes to be a police officer. This is a hands-on experience for the kids.
Some topics covered are:• SWAT• Traffic Stops & Narcotics
Awareness• Range Day• Taser Demonstrations• Crime Prevention• Med Flight• Detective work
Giving Back
PE Equipment Donation
Sgt. Stuart saw a need for new P.E. equipment at our Alternative Learning Center. She took donations and solicited sponsors and was able to provide over $500 worth of new equipment to the school, at no cost to the school.
Recognition and Awards
District Awards & Recognition
• 2015 - Safe & Healthy School Board Award• ADE Safe Schools Committee Chairman• 2014 ADE Safe Schools Committee Appointee• 2014 - Safe Schools Administrator of the Year,
CJI• National Conference Speaker 2 consecutive years• Arkansas State Safe Schools Conference Speaker
CJI Little Rock, AR
Make Safety #1
“If students don’t feel safe, they cannot learn”
“Safety is a mindset, not a program or an event”
“Everyone is responsible for safety”
“Planning and response should be dynamic, not static”
Closing Remarks
What can you do?Where do you start?
Q & A