Battle Creek Times

School safety efforts were at the forefront of a recent board meeting of the Harper Creek School District.

Superintendent Rob Ridgeway said the school safety review that was approved by the board at a meeting earlier this year would take place this spring. Consultants are expected to visit school campuses and examine entrances and exits, protocols for visitors, medical emergencies and other safety variables to provide a full assessment.

The reports are expected to provide the board and school administrators with a blueprint on ways to improve any areas deemed inadequate.

The district is also undergoing an integrated mapping program that will offer detailed maps of each building including labeled exit and entrance doors, and the best routes to each area of classrooms.

This will allow first responders in the community, as well as school staff, to be able to navigate quickly and confidently in case of emergency.

“One thing I did hear is that the numbering system on buildings is one of the most important things,” said Ridgeway. “And so having that numbering system on the integrated maps so they can say which door to go to by number is extremely helpful is what we've understood from first responders.”

The district is also looking into some more security camera systems and geofencing around school buildings that would allow for notifications and alerts on cell phones.

The district is also budgeting some money for some key fob replacements at two of their schools in the next year. There are two entry points at Beadle Lake school and two at the Middle School that they are looking to replace at a cost of $15,000. The measure will increase safety by replacing physical key access points and turning them into fobs, which can be electronically locked at a moment’s notice.