Iola schools look to heighten security
By ALLISON TINN
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Although the tragedy in Newtown, Conn. was some 1,300 miles away, the event hits close to home. WITH the possibility of a new school to be built in Iola, safety has become a significant area of focus for the facilities planning committee — even prior to the shooting in Connecticut. Marmaton Valley examines protocol
In regards to the shooting that occurred Friday, school districts, not only in Allen County but also all over the state and country, are revisiting their safety procedures.
“Whenever something like this happens it always affects all school districts,” said Brian Pekarek, superintendent of Iola school district. “What is most important is the safety of our kids, staff, parents and community.”
Pekarek said reviewing safety procedures and making changes accordingly, keeps school districts proactive against danger.
“You can’t guarantee something like this will never happen, but you can lower the risk,” of it happening, Pekarek said.
Since the shooting, Pekarek has been speaking with various administrators to see what would be the correct course of action.
USD 257 has two options available, Pekarek said. One, are simple changes, such as ensuring all doors remain locked at the schools with the exception of the front door.
Currently, all Iola schools have open access throughout their buildings. Signs are posted for visitors to check in at the respective front office of each of the three elementary schools, the middle school and the high school.
All the schools have cameras, which are monitored throughout the day, Pekarek said.
The second option is more costly, such as changing the location of front offices in the schools so visitors must go through the office before entering the school, or having key card access to all doors at the schools.
There isn’t a definite course of action for USD 257 as of yet, but Pekarek said he would continue meeting with teachers and administrators to brainstorm new procedures that would lower the risk of danger in the schools.
Pekarek will then present any changes at the next board meeting on Jan. 14.
The committee visited new schools in Garnett and in Chanute and each school has extensive safety features. All doors are locked and there is only one entry and exit point for visitors with a buzz-in feature.
These features have been at the top of the committee’s “must need” list when thinking of a new facility, Pekarek said.
“It is important to stay proactive when negative news comes in,” Pekarek said. “We can’t help what happened in Connecticut, but we can be proactive in keeping our kids safe.”
By STEVEN SCHWARTZ
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Marmaton Valley schools are going to take a hard look at their security measures in the wake of the Newtown, Conn., shooting.
Superintendent David Hardage said Marmaton Valley has never seen any major security problems, which he believes is due to the fact that Moran is such a tight-knit community. However, he said after Friday’s shooting, it is apparent that even small towns can be vulnerable.
“Like most small schools, we are wide open — you can walk in anywhere,” Hardage said.
He said he has already met with principals of the schools to discuss security of the main buildings on campus. He said topics will also be brought up during the next school board meeting on Jan. 14.
“We need to start a discussion on safety and security,” Hardage said. “But we have no concerns just yet.”
The Marmaton Valley schools consists of two main buildings, the elementary school and the junior/senior high school. The classrooms have phone systems connecting them, which Hardage said is key during an emergency situation. As for added measures, he said the changes will not be convenient, but they will be necessary.
He said administrators with the schools will discuss what measures need to be taken in order to keep the students safe. The measures could include identification requirements, buzzers for the doors and security cameras. Hardage said Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Conn., had state-of-the-art security, which did not prevent the shooter from entering the building.
He said the key to preventing shootings such as the tragedy in Connecticut is to stop the shooter before they can carry out their plans. He said people need to keep their eyes and ears open, and report anything they hear to the police, even if the person may be joking.
“The most important thing is for people to stop the attempts before they happen — for people to alert the authorities,” Hardage said.
Humboldt schools always locked
By BOB JOHNSON
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ALLEN COUNTY Sheriff Tom Williams said he and his officers have in place plans for response should a crisis arise at any schools in the county.
Doors leading into Humboldt schools are locked throughout the day, including those where visitors may enter elementary, middle or high schools, said K.B. Criss, superintendent of schools.
“The only place a visitor may get in one of our schools is near the offices,” Criss noted, and then entrance isn’t permitted until the door lock is released by office personnel. “There’s a buzzer at each door and a camera, so we know who wants in. We also have security cameras throughout the schools,” including views of outdoors.
“We have spent the time and money to make our students as safe as we can,” Criss added.
The only time doors are open during the school day is when students go between the middle and high schools building and the technology building.
“They open automatically for a four-minute period,” to give students access to classes in the technology building and to return to their regular classrooms, he said.
Also, Criss said when talking about doors being locked that “means all of them. If a custodian goes out a service door, it locks behind him.”
State fire codes require all doors to be easily opened from inside while students are in a building.
“Making the schools a safe environment for students is the responsibility of all staff members, teachers, administrators and custodians,” the superintendent said. “I am confident everyone takes the responsibility seriously.”
Criss said the district also had developed a crisis plan that was continuing to be upgraded.
“Our school nurse, Megan Anderson, has been aggressive in working on the plan,” which lays out what staff and students would do if faced with any emergency situation.
USD 258 is one of three Kansas districts selected to have their crisis plans critiqued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency at a training seminar in Emmitsburg, Md., in the spring.
“FEMA will take our plan apart and work with our staff to make it better,” Criss said.
In response to Friday’s school shooting, Criss and Brian Dillow, Humboldt chief of police, co-signed a letter made available to parents.
It noted that “in partnership with the Humboldt Police Department, we have decided to have additional law enforcement presence throughout the day within USD 258, whenever possible.”
Dillow stressed increased patrol around school was in response to concern the Friday shooting generated.
“Neither our department nor the school district have received any threats,” Dillow said.
“It is our duty not only to educate the children of this community, but also make sure our kids are safe while at school or attending school activities,” Criss said.
“I’m not going to talk about specifics of how we would respond,” Williams said. “I don’t want to give away the blueprint.
“But, I will say it would be swift and effective,” he said.
