Security Concerns in the Schools

I wanted to remind you of the importance of maintaining adequate security in the schools. Section 363 of Chapter 159 of the Acts of 2000 says,

"Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the superintendent of each school district shall, prior to the beginning of the school year, meet with the fire chief and police chief of the city, town or district to formulate a school specific "multi-hazard evacuation plan" for each school under the superintendent's supervision. Said multi-hazard evacuation plan shall encompass, but not be limited to, evacuations for fires, hurricanes and other hazardous storms or disasters in which serious bodily injury might occur, shootings and other terrorist activities, and bomb threats. Said plan shall be designed for each school building after a review of each building. Said plan shall include, but not be limited to:

1. establishment of a crisis response team;
2. a designation as to who is in charge of said team and designated substitutes;
3. a communication plan;
4. crisis procedures for safe entrance to and exit from the school by students, parents and employees; and
5. policies for enforcing school discipline and maintaining a safe and orderly environment during the crisis.

Here are some links to additional resources for school safety and security, and I appreciate your attention to these matters.

http://www.state.ma.us/eops/publications/preplan.htm.
http://www.state.ma.us/eops/download/council_report.pdf.
http://www.ed.gov/offices/OSERS/OSEP/Products/earlywrn.html.
http://www.schoolcrisisresponse.com/.
http://nces.ed.gov/pubs/97581.pdf.

David P. Driscoll
Commissioner of Education