Fla. massacre leads districts to re-examine safety policies
Local school district leaders are calling for continued vigilance on the part of principals, teachers, caregivers and students after a deadly school shooting in Florida claimed 17 lives.
Edmond Public School Superintendent Bret Towne, in a heartfelt letter to parents and guardians, referred to Wednesday’s shooting as a “senseless act of violence that has left a community shattered and countless lives forever changed.”
Towne said the 24,400-student district will evaluate and review further all safety and security procedures to make sure “that we are exhaustive in
our efforts to to prevent a similar incident from happening in our district.”
School crisis plans, secured entrances and frequent safety drills are just a few of the safety strategies Towne outlined in the letter. He also urged parents and guardians to update their emergency contact information and be good listeners.
“Listen to your children and take their concerns seriously. If they see something, have them say something,” he said. “If they overhear or observe ... a student or former student threatening to harm themselves or others, please immediately report that information to law enforcement or a trusted adult.”
Dustin Horstkoetter, director of safety and security for Moore Public Schools, said police thwarted two threats of violence this week after students overheard the threats and reported them to school administrators, who notified police.
Horstkoetter said the 24,000-student district is constantly updating crisis plans and emergency procedures.
“We’re always looking to see how we can make it better,” he said.
Without disclosing detailed information about the district’s safety plan, Horstkoetter said every school is staffed with a Moore or Oklahoma City police officer or a Cleveland County sheriff’s deputy.
“They’re providing a safe environment for that school and they’re also building rapport with the kids and the staff,” he said.
Armed guards ‘vital’
Horstkoetter said having trained armed guards is a “vital” part of the district’s security plan.
Rebecca Kaye, Oklahoma City Public Schools’ acting superintendent, is the mother of two boys who attend elementary school in the district.
“As a fellow OKCPS parent, yesterday’s headlines
are my worst nightmare,” Kaye wrote in a message to families Thursday. “I want to assure you ... we are doing everything we can to make sure that your babies return to you safe after they’ve been in our care all day.
Kaye characterized the district as “safe places where students are engaged in learning.”
“Thousands of OKCPS employees come to work every day, and our highest ethical responsibility is to ensure your child’s safety.”
Kaye met with principals Thursday, reminding them to review safety plans and follow all safetyrelated policies and procedures.
Measures include securing entrances, monitoring exterior doors and keeping classroom doors locked when students are inside. Kaye told staffers to wear district-issued identification badges at all times.
‘Challenge those you encounter’
“Challenge those you encounter who are not wearing a badge and notify administrative staff immediately,” she said.
Tim Coleman, security director for Oklahoma City Public Schools, said the state’s largest district (46,000 students) has installed new interior and exterior digital cameras to monitor school sites and facilities.
In addition to a police presence at all district schools and metal detectors at all secondary schools, Coleman said construction on enclosed entrances at 48 schools will start within the next month. The vestibules are designed to limit access to school buildings and will be paid for with bond money.
Coleman’s office also conducts a minimum of 10 safety drills annually, including lockdown and intruder drills.
Greystone Elementary School Principal Neal Johnson was among those who met this week with Oklahoma City’s acting superintendent.
“Education is what we do,” he said Friday. “But, unfortunately in the day and times we’re in, safety comes first. You always have to make sure kids are safe.”
‘Exit and run’
A former Moore Public Schools administrator who has received police training, Johnson said he focuses on three-pronged approach for protecting students and staff that includes running away and fighting back if necessary.
“If the intruder is coming in it’s better to exit and run,” he said. “Police have said it’s harder to hit a running target than someone who’s standing still.
“If you can’t get out, take out. Throw staplers and hit them with chairs. We’ve
trained them on that.”
Johnson keeps a fire extinguisher in his office for safety reasons that go beyond putting out a fire.
“I can shoot ‘em in the face,” he said. It also serves as a blunt weapon. It makes a big smoke screen, which is good cover. We try to prepare ourselves that way.”
Said Horstkoetter: “I think people would be lying if they said they are not worried about something like this happening in their own backyard. What I do feel confident about is we do the best job we can do to equip our students and staff with as many options to keep themselves safe as possible.” The Oklahoman seeks to investigate and correct any factual error that appears in the newspaper or online. If you see an item that may require a correction, please contact the appropriate reporter or editor. Or, go to NewsOK.com/home/support.