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