Security Procedures in Place at Local Schools

Because of the shootings at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., on Dec. 14, local parents have expressed concerns about the safety of their children in schools. While some safety measures are visible to all, such as school driving zones, there are other invisible security measures in place.

The Franklin County school district emergency and crisis response plan can be found at <www.fcstn.net>. 

“The Franklin County School System is committed to the safety and security of students, faculty, staff, and visitors on its campus,” according to the plan. This includes “ongoing training, exercises and maintenance required to keep the plan current.”

“Although there is no way to prepare for every possible situation, I do think we have addressed and continue to address security in our schools,” said Rebecca Sharber, director of schools for Franklin County. “If anyone has additional ideas about how to increase safety for our children, please let me know,” said Sharber.

Parents may also bring concerns to their local school board representatives. Chris McDonough is the fifth district school board member.

All Franklin County Schools have buzzers at the front entrance, and in some instances the back door, in order for visitors to be allowed in the school. Doors remain closed and locked during the school day. There are also sign-in and sign-out procedures for visitors, staff and students. Some of the local schools are also equipped with security cameras.

Each school within the system has an emergency operation plan. These plans include evacuation (leaving the building), reverse evacuation (staying in the building in safe areas), lock down, shelter-in-place (for severe weather or hazardous material release outdoors) and drop, cover and hold procedures. All students, faculty and staff go through required safety drills. Safety checks such as making sure doors are closed and locked are done throughout the day by faculty and staff.

“We have been proactive in our approach to safety and security at the school,” said Mike Maxon, principal of Sewanee Elementary. 

At SES, teachers and staff are visible at the beginning, during and at the end of the school day. The doors are locked at 8 a.m. Visitors have to be buzzed in to the school, and sign in at the front office. 

“On Dec. 18 we practiced our lock-down procedures with the new Sewanee chief of police, Marie Eldridge, and two of her officers,” said Maxon. 

“We are revisiting our evacuation plan with Otey Parish,” Maxon said. “Chief Eldridge has offered to review our safety plan at the Jan. 3 SES faculty meeting. There is a plan to have a safety walk-through with the sheriff’s department during the Christmas break. 

“The Sewanee police department is planning to be more visible during the school day with a new ‘Police Buddy’ program at Chief Eldridge’s suggestion,” said Maxon.

At the county’s high schools, there is one Special Resource Officer (SRO) from the Franklin County sheriff’s department assigned to Huntland and two assigned to Franklin County. One SRO splits their time between North and South middle schools. These officers, in part, attend school functions and provide classes on law enforcement topics to the students. They also assist in developing emergency plans and strategies “to prevent and/or minimize dangerous situations such as hostage situations, armed person(s) on campus, student disturbances, and natural/manmade disasters,” the plan states. As they are deputy sheriffs, the SROs can take law enforcement action as required.

At St. Andrew’s-Sewanee School, “Parents should know that there is always a safety plan in place,” said Pratt Paterson, chair of the SAS Safety and Security Committee, which is responsible for “creating best practices for the campus and community, crisis prevention and how we handle crises.

“With the support of the SAS trustees and administration, an increased focus on campus safety and security began this summer,” said Paterson.

Some new changes to visitor check-in begin next month where each visitor will be required to wear a visitor badge, in addition to signing in with school personnel. An outdoor siren should be in place by January. There will be two tones to the siren, one for weather alerts and one for lockdown.

SAS conducts fire drills monthly. In case of severe weather, students, faculty and staff go to designated safety zones. When a lockdown has been issued, students are directed to the nearest securable safety zone and issued specific instructions. Students may not use cell phones during a lock-down situation. 

“We do not want noises to tip off intruders as to our whereabouts . That is the reason for no cell usage during lockdown. It is a safety concern,” said Paterson.

There are check-in and check-out procedures for all SAS students during the school day and on the weekends. Suspicious cars and people on campus are to be reported to the dean of students, the discipline coordinator, a houseparent, the administrator on duty or the teacher in charge. A security detail also checks all campus buildings at night. 

SAS also has three emergency medical service members and one Sewanee volunteer firefighter on staff. 

“We are always in direct contact with the Sewanee police dispatcher and have emergency radios,” said Paterson.

In all emergency situations, the proper authorities are notified. Each school’s faculty and staff follow standard operating procedures until the appropriate emergency official arrives. These officials include the local and county police departments, EMTs and local fire departments. 

In case of emergencies, parents at the Franklin County schools are notified via a mass phone messaging system. SAS notifies parents by e-mail and its website. SAS students, faculty and staff also use text and email for campus alerts. 

Parents should always notify SAS if they take their children off campus by emailing <studentinfo@sasweb.org> or by calling the school at 598-5651. SES parents should contact their school at 598-5951.

At the University of the South, if a situation arises either on or off campus that “in the judgment of the chief of police constitutes an ongoing or continued threat, a campuswide Security Bulletin will be issued.” 

Campus safety policies can be found at <www.sewanee.edu>. Sewanee police officers provide patrol protection to the campus, University property, parking lots and dorms, and are vested with full law enforcement powers and responsibilities. Potential emergencies and criminal actions can be reported directly to the police department. In emergencies, call 9-1-1; in non-emergencies call 598-5111.