Safety and Security Gets Added Attention in District Schools

Superintendent Bent noted that while the focus of the School District remains on instruction, the School District has augmented its security measures to improve an already safe environment with school buildings.

The most notable change was appointment of Karen Toomey -former Director of the Peter Twomey Youth Center - as Director of District Safety. Toomey will be the contact person for security issues within school buildings and the one to monitor and pay attention to these types of issues.

The District has also upgraded its devices to better monitor different areas of school grounds. A larger TV monitor has been installed which allows multiple images of certain areas around school buildings. The School District already had a "buzzer" system for visitors to enter a school building and that system will continue with improved TV monitors to visually check visitors.

Dr. Bent also noted that Director of Building and Grounds Steve Byrne will be developing a system that would number and label all corridors in the different school buildings. This numbering system would be learned by administrators, teachers and students. If an event occurred in one numbered corridor, it could be communicated to others in the school building and allow decisions to be made on a safe exit.

Despite the added attention to security measures, Dr. Bent stated, "Schools remain the safest place for children to gather."