School Safety & Security Report RECOMMENDATIONS. Prepared by Rick J. Kaufman, APR Executive Director of Community Relations & Emergency Management

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1 Report RECOMMENDATIONS Prepared by Rick J. Kaufman, APR Executive Director of Community Relations & Emergency Management Paul McCullough Security Consultant and Certified Emergency Manager Bloomington Police Department (Retired)

2 Acknowledgments Bloomington Police Department Chief Jeff Potts Commanders Dave Olmstead and Kevin Herman Homeland Security Coordinator Andy Risdall School Resource Officer Jerry Robertson Bloomington Fire Department Chief Ulie Seal Asst Chief Jay Forster Fire Inspectors Laura McCarthy, Bobby Witherspoon, and Lance Stangohr Parents and Staff

3 Review Phase One: (Jan-March) Facility analysis to determine perceived level of safety and security concerns among stakeholders (e.g. parents, staff and students) Phase Two: (March-April) Formal security audit to identify vulnerabilities and threats to students, staff, schools and facilities

4 1. Renovate all main entrances so a secondary set of secure doors is in place and all traffic is funneled into the main office before gaining access into the school. 2. Identify limited designated points of entry for staff, as well as access to playground and athletic fields, and equip them with an electronic access control system. All other exterior doors should be locked and integrated into the school s alarm system in the event an attempt is made to pry open the door, or a door is left ajar for a brief period of time.

5 3. Initiate a review of current electronic and manual visitor sign-in processes, and adopt a universal approach to a visitor management system. 4. Equip all classrooms with doors that can be locked from the inside by the classroom teacher. Newer classroom security function locksets add a key cylinder or other locking mechanism to the classroom side of the door so the door can be locked without leaving the room, and in those cases where teacher s prefer, can be locked and propped

6 5. Install a limited number of security cameras. Effectiveness of surveillance technology to improve school safety is limited. Security cameras should be used to complement a comprehensive approach to school safety one that focuses on awareness, intervention and prevention, as opposed to only deterrence and detection. Reinforcing importance of staff presence in hallways, other traffic areas during all passing periods, before/after school

7 6. Install a duress/panic button in school offices for use in an emergency. Use is intended to move school to a safe emergency condition (e.g. school lockdown). Activate emergency strobe lights in critical areas Release magnetized fire doors In all cases when duress/panic button is used, staff member must call to report emergency/crisis

8 7. Initiate a training program for staff to respond to emergency situations in accordance with the Incident Command System (ICS). Schools will establish Building Emergency Response Teams (BERT); will receive advanced training in crisis prevention, intervention and response. School crisis plans will be revised to ensure they are National Incident Management System (NIMS) compliant. Annual drills, including minimum of one unannounced evacuation, lockdown drill and/or enhanced drill to include public safety partners as observers

9 8. Improve and monitor traffic control measures to reduce the potential for pedestrian/vehicle accidents. 9. Establish a task force to develop specific strategies to address after-school program safety & security, and unsupervised students in buildings during off-school hours. 10. Establish a task force to review district s current mental health staffing, identification and intervention needs; provide recommendations to ensure district has a comprehensive multi-disciplinary program to address students mental health needs.