Local schools have tightened security since the Parkland, Florida shootings, and administrators are considering even stronger measures.
Those may include an armed officer at several schools, but most are looking at increased training and more restricted entrances.
Here’s a rundown:
Cobleskill-Richmondville Superintendent Carl Mummenthey said he’s had three or four inquiries from parents about safety. Mr. Mummenthey assured them C-R has effective procedures drawn with input from Homeland Security and the FBI.
Schools have doubled-locked doors, and office workers can see who enters; entrances are under video surveillance. Visitors sign in at offices and leave their keys..
Officials have had table-top emergency exercises, and Mr. Mummenthey said C-R may expand and improve the video system.
Though he’s satisfied with security, “it’s in a constant state of review,” Mr. Mummenthey said.
“If you think your plan is perfect and let it sit, you’ll fall behind,” he added.
“Parents send us their prized possessions, and we act accordingly.”
He is not in favor of armed security or arming teachers.
“More guns is not the answer,” Mr. Mummenthey said.
Training is the byword at Schoharie, according to Superintendent David Blanchard. They’ve been training staff and students and plan an ‘active shooter exercise’ for next Wednesday.
“We’re safe because we’re vigilant,” Mr. Blanchard said. “We’re raising kids to be attentive to their surroundings. If it doesn’t seem right, get some place safe.”
Assemblies to further train students are coming, and Mr. Blanchard plans to work with State Police, the Sheriff’s Office and Schoharie Village Police.
“I know we’re an educational institution, but the number one thing we think about is the safety of our children,” he said.
Mr. Blanchard is not in favor of arming teachers.
Even though he’s been on the job only two weeks, Middleburgh Superintendent Brian Dunn has already been approached about school safety.
He expects to work with a community group to improve security, and MCS has already held a lockdown drill.
“I was impressed with how well the kids reacted––quick and efficient,” Mr. Dunn said.
He was an administrator in Troy for 13 years and did much security work there. He’ll bring those talents to Middleburgh.
“This is a continuous conversation,” Mr. Dunn said. “The unpredictability of American society is unsettling.”
Sharon Springs has had discussions about having a school resource officer––a guard––as the district did in the past, Superintendent Pat Green said.
A forum of students, sixth through 12th grade, is comfortable with the idea, Mr. Green added.
The problem is how to pay for a guard on a tight school budget.
“At what point do we sacrifice a teacher for a security guard?” he asked.
Sharon Springs has upgraded video security, and a capital project approved last fall includes upgrading security at the main entrance.
Mr. Green wouldn’t arm teachers.
Gilboa-Conesville recently had a lockdown drill, and now students go to the auditorium when they enter school, which is a new procedure, according to Superintendent Ruth Reeve.
The district is also training staff and students to be watchful.
“It’s a matter of being vigilant,” Ms. Reeve said. “We teach them if you see something, say something.”
G-CCS is installing push-button locksets to more easily lock classroom doors from the inside, but the project will take time because of the expense, Ms. Reeve said.
A capital project approved by voters includes new security doors. The district is waiting for State Ed approval.
Like other districts, Jefferson has had a lockdown drill and has been training staff and students, according to Superintendent Brian Corey.
The district has a card-reader and buzzer entrance system that was recently upgraded.
Jefferson has had four State Police troopers talk with faculty, and a trooper will meet with faculty again in May, Mr. Corey said.
He would like to add a school resource officer or guard but doesn’t have the funding at present.
“We’re putting proactive things in practice so we don’t have to be reactive,” Mr. Corey said.
Worcester is having emergency personnel––fire department, State Police, Sheriff’s Office and others–-walk through the school to become familiar with the building.
Acting Superintendent Ed Shultis, at the school only two weeks, has had meetings about safety and will participate in a regional effort to talk with Sheriffs about safety.
The school has held drills and will probably have more active drills when the snow is gone, Mr. Shultis said.
There’s broad interest in a school resource officer but questions remain about paying for one, he added.