The recent tragedy in Connecticut is drawing attention to
school security across the nation. Over the weekend I have been reflecting on
our security at Bancroft-Rosalie School. Rest assured that I and the rest of
the B-R staff will do everything in our power to ensure that your children are
safe here at school.
The school has a 24 page Safety/Security Plan that outlines
procedures to follow in the case of an emergency. This plan includes off site
evacuation and “Lock-down” procedures that are similar to what the reports say
Sandy Hook Elementary teachers responded. For security reasons, we do not
release the off site evacuation locations. We will be reviewing and updating
the plan at the staff workday on January 2nd. There are some things
we can learn from Shady Hook.
There are 21 interior security cameras connected to monitors
in the office, including a camera at each entrance. The school also has 6
cameras monitoring the exterior of the building, the parking lots and the
playground. The security system is web-based, so the cameras can be viewed from
outside the building in an emergency.
The next step is to add a secured main entryway. The only
unlocked entry to the school is the front entrance. The plan is to keep the
first set of doors open so visitors can get out of the weather, but have the
second set of doors locked, requiring anyone requesting entry to be “buzzed
in.” The entry door to the library is always locked except during school board
meetings. We hope to have a cost proposal to present to the school board in
January.
In a situation like the one at Shady Hook Elementary, the
school needs to impede the intruder as long as possible so that students and classrooms
can be secured and law enforcement can assist.
