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North Penn Safe Schools Committee

April 10

RFP near: Staff continue to work on a request for proposals seeking an outside expert in behavioral threat assessment to identify the district’s security strengths and needs. District Coordinator of Emergency Management Chris Doerr told the Safe Schools committee Tuesday that he has been in contact with experts from the Virginia Center for School and Campus Safety to discuss specifics. “My hope is that we can put together our specific desires, and our RFP, and get that released if not before the end of April, then in the early part of May,” Doerr said. Last month the full school board authorized a request from Doerr via the committee to seek an expert in behavioral threat assessment, which develops ways for school staff to identify students who may be of concern, assess and manage any issues they have, and creates a safer environment by encouraging reporting of problems and directing students toward mental health resources. Since the board has already authorized the request for proposals, according to Doerr and Director of Business Administration Steve Skrocki, the request for proposals can be posted and released to vendors once it is completed by staff. Those who respond would then be vetted by staff before the safe schools committee would then make a recommendation to the full board. Training in May: Doerr and district Director of Facilities and Operations Scott Kennedy announced that they are planning to run Critical Event Response Team (CERT) training at North Penn High School during a staff in-service day on May 15. Staff will be trained on communication during incident responses, safety and security tactics to use while a school is on lockdown, and how to interact with local, county, and other law enforcement agencies. “A lot of it has to do with initial response. You really have to have an incident responder take charge of the event, and start handing out responsibilities,” Kennedy said. “When first responders arrive, they’ll take over that command, so it’s just so we can handle that first five to ten minutes of an event,” he said. Recommendations sent to finance committee: Doerr also gave the safe schools committee a list of proposed security initiatives the board could consider as it finalizes its 20018-19 budget. In addition to the behavioral threat assessment, Doerr recommended the board look into implementing a unified mass notification system for internal communications during emergencies, enhancements to security systems at North Penn High School, and extra surveillance cameras at schools that were on the early end of recent renovation cycles. “Some of our early renovated buildings like North Wales and (General) Nash (elementary schools) are on the current platform, but have not as many surveillance cameras,” Doerr said. The safe schools committee voted unanimously to recommend that the finance committee, comprised of all nine board members, consider the security initiatives and their proposed costs at upcoming meetings. The finance committee next meets at 6:30 p.m. on April 30, and Skrocki said staff will have a proposed final budget up for discussion at board meetings in May. The full school board next meets at 7:30 p.m. on April 19, and all board and committee meetings will be held at the district Educational Services Center, 401 E. Hancock St. in Lansdale.