Everyone agreed that school safety is a prime concern of the School Board, as well as Local Law Enforcement.
by Kathy Foster
Washington County Sheriff Kevin Crews was quick to praise the local school district for their proactive stance on dealing with school safety, rather than taking a reactive position.
Crews was present at Monday evening’s School Board workshop, along with School Resource Officers (SRO) recently assigned to each of the six public schools in Washington County, and stressed that communication between the SROs, the students, and the community is a key ingredient in making the county’s schools as safe as possible.
Crews said it goes back to the adage “See Something, Say Something”. Stressing that if any individual sees something threatening to local people on social media they need to report it to law enforcement, Crews said the public has a role to play in keeping schools safe.
Also present at the workshop was Chipley Police Chief Scott Thompson who said he and his officers are always on hand to provide whatever back up may be needed by the Sheriff’s Department should a problem situation occur.
Washington County School Superintendent Joe Taylor led off the workshop pointing out that it is a shame it takes someone dying to draw attention to the need to secure school campuses. He added that Monday’s workshop won’t be the last addressing the safety needs of county schools.
However, Taylor also pointed out that funding for school operations comes from Tallahassee and many of the rules coming down attached to funding will be decided in Tallahassee.
Commenting on the initial funding for SROs that came from the Washington County Board of County Commissioners, School Board member Terry Ellis thanked the BOCC and the Sheriff for “stepping up to the plate” and making needed funds available. That sentiment was supported by Board members Vann Brock, Lou Cleveland, Milton Brown, and Susan Roberts.
Principals from each of the county’s public schools spoke at the workshop listing areas of concern on the various campuses including the following:
- Keeping people out of the various bus loops. In some cases, the bus loops are used in place of running tracks during school hours.
- Requiring clear backpacks or enforcing a “no backpack” rule.
- Having working alarm systems in every school.
- Mandating one point of entry at each school, or limiting points of entry.
- Fencing off some areas.
- Assessing “blind spots” on each campus.
- Placing cameras at every entrance on campus.
- Placing “alert systems” on every campus.
- Mandating active shooter training.
- Placing “badge readers” at the entrance to buildings.
- Have “bulletproof glass” where ever needed.