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TOM BERRY/Ledger & Times
Sheriff’s deputies Kenny Collins, at right, and Karen Garland, above, school resource officers at Calloway County High and Middle schools, respectively, stand guard at entrance and exit ways at the two schools this week greeting students and helping them in any way they can while keeping an eye out for possible danger. Security at schools have been heightened because of three fatal school shootings that have taken place in the past week across the nation. |
Educators, officials keeping safety a priority, especially in wake of nationwide school violence
By TOM BERRY
Staff Writer
Officials at Calloway County and Murray Independent school districts say they are well aware that the threat of violence from inside and outside the classroom is a specter of possibility and have taken steps to make sure the danger is minimized.
At least three fatal attacks resulting in the death or injury of dozens of students and staff have taken place nationwide in just the past week and schools around the nation are looking at security issues once again, according to an Associated Press report. Since the 1999 Columbine massacre that left 15 dead, there has been a concerted effort among administrators, teachers and parents to improve school safety and law enforcement organizations have recruited specially-trained personnel to deal with school violence.
David Dowdy, public affairs coordinator for Calloway County Board of Education, said administrators are well aware of the threat and have taken action that continues to build upon safety precautions already in place as more is learned about how to keep students safe.
Sports bags are inspected upon entry to a school building and then placed in either a locker room or a coach's classroom for safekeeping until needed for practice or a game. After students have entered the district's buildings, all outside doors are locked except for the front door where visitors are required to check in. All classroom doors are kept closed and locked while classes are in session while teachers monitor hallways and outside entrances during class changes.
“Students and teachers are encouraged to keep a watchful eye on their surroundings and report any unusual activity or stranger,” Dowdy said. “Each report or incident is thoroughly investigated; even rumors or hearsay. All students and their belongings are checked by hand as they enter the building each morning. Books, purses and, in cool seasons, coats are inspected.”
Deputy Sheriff Kenny Collins, a school resource officer at Calloway County High School, helps to make sure security procedures that have been in effect for several years are actively enforced. Collins said he and school officials are always alert to potential threats.
Collins, who patrols the school's hallways and parking areas, said the school now has a camera covering traffic in the rear parking area between CCHS and Calloway County Middle School and that school officials are now considering the placement of cameras in other locations both inside and outside the building.
According to Dowdy, security at CCMS and the district's three elementary schools have also been planned with safety in mind. CCMS School Resource Officer Karen Garland, a Calloway County deputy sheriff and a 10-year veteran at the job, also patrols the building and keeps in radio contact with administrators.
At Calloway County Middle School, Dowdy said, all doors are locked and monitored with video camera surveillance at a central security station, and visitors at the front entrance must be “buzzed” in after being recognized. At North, Southwest and East Calloway elementary schools, all doors are locked during the day with the exception of the front door where all visitors must be recognized and checked in.
Sherry Purdom, public information coordinator for the Murray Independent School District, said administrators have established standard safety procedures that are practiced at all times involving periodic checks of book bags upon entering buses and schools each day and daily screenings to check for banned objects.
Superintendent Bob Rogers said an additional emphasis has been placed throughout MISD schools in recognition of the high-alert safety issues facing schools across the country. “Safety for all MISD children is always a top priority,” he said. “Procedures and guidelines are in place at each school to deal with various emergency situations.
“The best preparation is a well-trained and highly-alert staff and student body. Our school resource officers and central office staff employees are continually circulating throughout the campus on a regular basis.”
Rogers noted that recent school shooting incidents have involved intruders and the district has taken precautions against similar incursions. “We are currently taking precautionary measures to ensure there is no access to our schools. A visitor's pass is required for a guest to enter. We are also providing extra measures to monitor students on the playgrounds and parking lots. We are attentive to all needs,” he said.
Additionally, MISD staff members routinely inspect all outside doors to make sure they are locked and that entry into any of the district's schools is possible only through one entrance.
“We have reviewed our safety plans and discussed different scenarios as additional strategies,” Dale Reid, director of operations and pupil personnel, said. “We have increased the frequency of outside observation and spot checks on doors.”
Murray Police Patrolman Mike Robinson, a school resource officer at Murray High School, said everyone in the district is trained to handle safety situations. Robinson said a Kentucky Center For School Safety report card concerning the issue is posted for public viewing on the MHS Web site at www.murray.kyschools.usmhs/sro-home.asp.
“One of the first things I do each year is review the crisis plan,” he said. “We perform monthly earthquake and fire drills and we also practice lock down procedures. An emergency team is in place and we coordinate with all outside agencies.”
Murray Middle School Principal Lou Carter said the MMS staff takes safety of students and staff very seriously.
For complete story, see today's Ledger & Times
Story created Oct 06, 2006 - 11:28:01 EDT.
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