Lincoln School Board Watches Video Of ‘Intruder’ Training

Board Schedules Graduation For May 16, 2014

LINCOLN — A reorganization of officers, a video of intruder training and adoption of addendums to handbooks was part of the Oct. 21 Lincoln School Board meeting.

Dax Moreton, president, called for a reorganization of the board. Members then approved Kendra Moore as president, Jim Ayers as vice president and Dax Moreton as secretary. Connie Meyer and Scott Davis remain members.

Jana Claybrook, district executive master teacher, showed a four- minute video of training teachers received from John Luther with the Department of Emergency Management, Farmington Police Chief Brian Hubbard, Chad Parrish,

school resource officer, and Tony Lee, Lincoln resource officer and assistant police chief.

The video showed teachers training with an “intruder” coming into the schools.

“The training we received before was to hide under desks — that was the traditional way,” Claybrook told board members.

The video showed teachers being taught to barricade doors, break out windows so kids could escape and throwing things at an “intruder.”

“What made it better this year is it was as if an intruder came in,” Claybrook said. “It definitely made an impact on us.”

Mary Ann Spears, superintendent, said the next step would be to take intruder training to the students.

“We’ll show middle school and high school students what to do,” Spears said. “Elementary children would not receive this kind of training.”

Spears said since the school does fire drills and some tornado drills throughout the year, she would like to see intruder training happen several times a year.

Lee said after the meeting that each school was used in the training process.

“They did a very good job,” Lee said, referring to Luther, Hubbard and Parrish. “The Lincoln police and fire department appreciates their help.”

Board members approved addendums to the Lincoln Elementary handbook on homework policy, which should be an extension of what they have studied at school, and grading policy, which will remain the same.

They also approved addendums to Lincoln Middle School’s handbook, included transfers from accredited schools, parent involvement in plan summary and home school extracurricular participation.

The board set graduation date for the Class of 2014 on May 16, 2014.

After an executive session, the board approved the resignations of Johnny Dye Jr., Leasha Bias and Rosella Neale. They agreed to hire Curtis Haroutunian in transportation.

Chris Green, a school bus driver, was terminated due to his not coming to work, according to Spears.

Spears reported a bus safety inspection revealed only minor repair problems. “Our buses are in good shape.”

Spears said she has ridden on eight of the 12 school bus routes. She pledged earlier in the school year to ride on every route to become familiar with the buses and the routes. She plans to continue riding the buses until she has ridden all 12 routes.

“I have found out we have a lot of dirt roads and some long routes,” Spears said, adding, on one bus route a young child did not get home until almost 5 p.m.

Moreton asked if kids in other school districts have to ride buses on routes as long as the Lincoln district.

Spears said they do, citing West Fork and Huntsville as having routes just as long.

The next school board meeting is set for Nov. 18 at the school administration board room.