Public & Facilities Safety and Security Advisory

Public & Facilities Safety and Security Advisory Committees Recommendations 2013-2014 Missoula County Public Schools 215 South 6th St. West Missoula, MT 59803 www.mcpsmt.org

Missoula County Public Schools The Public and Facilities Safety and Security Advisory Committees helped to identify “core elements” of the District’s safety and security plan. The committee established guiding principles and recommendations for the Board of Trustees in support of a positive, sustained, and evolving district-wide approach to safety in MCPS. The intended outcome is a safe and secure 21st Century teaching and learning environment. 2/28/23 215 South 6th St. W., Missoula, MT 59803 www.mcpsmt.org 406.728.2400

Missoula County Public Schools 6 Guiding Principles 1. We believe that children and adults need and deserve to be safe in school. 2/28/23 Education and information will be provided to staff, parents, and the community about the District’s framework for facility safety and security. Develop a culture of acceptance and respect. 215 South 6th St. W., Missoula, MT 59803 www.mcpsmt.org 406.728.2400

Missoula County Public Schools 6 Guiding Principles 2. We believe that everyone involved in schools share a responsibility for safe schools – including students. 2/28/23 Create a positive process that brings together children, adults, and emergency first responders. 215 South 6th St. W., Missoula, MT 59803 www.mcpsmt.org 406.728.2400

Missoula County Public Schools 6 Guiding Principles 3. We believe that doing something proactive is better than doing nothing in safety situations – including practicing vigilant and situational awareness and appropriate active resistance. 2/28/23 This is the foundation for a safe and prepared district. Individuals involved in the schools will be provided with the necessary training to prepare for a variety of situations. 215 South 6th St. W., Missoula, MT 59803 www.mcpsmt.org 406.728.2400

Missoula County Public Schools 6 Guiding Principles 4. We believe that communication and coordination strengthen public and facility safety efforts and that effective communication is critical to successfully implementing the District's safety measures. 2/28/23 Implement common procedures Improve communication Evaluate and proactively adjust to meet ever changing circumstances 215 South 6th St. W., Missoula, MT 59803 www.mcpsmt.org 406.728.2400

Missoula County Public Schools 6 Guiding Principles 5. We believe that facilities and safety procedures should be designed and implemented to support a positive, engaged and safe learning environment. We also recognize that attempts to make schools safer could present a variety of challenges and opportunities. 2/28/23 All short and long term goals should support a safe, engaged learning environment. 215 South 6th St. W., Missoula, MT 59803 www.mcpsmt.org 406.728.2400

Missoula County Public Schools 6 Guiding Principles 5. We believe that facilities and programs should be designed and implemented to support a positive, engaged and safe learning environment. We also recognize that attempts to make schools safer could result in unintended consequences, those should be fully evaluated, understood, and accepted. 2/28/23 Facility safety and security measures need to be implemented carefully – recognizing the District’s limited resources and possible unintentional impacts to other District needs. 215 South 6th St. W., Missoula, MT 59803 www.mcpsmt.org 406.728.2400

Missoula County Public Schools 6 Guiding Principles 6. We believe that new facilities and retrofits should be designed within the guiding principles. 2/28/23 215 South 6th St. W., Missoula, MT 59803 www.mcpsmt.org 406.728.2400

Missoula County Public Schools Public & Facilities Safety and Security Advisory Committees Priority Recommendations 2013-2014 2/28/23 215 South 6th St. W., Missoula, MT 59803 www.mcpsmt.org 406.728.2400

Priority Recommendations Missoula County Public Schools YEAR ONE Public & Facilities Safety and Security Advisory Committees Priority Recommendations A. Provide active resistance training, fist aid, and safety protocols for all District personnel, volunteers, and members of outside agencies/organizations working in school environments. 1. Assure that training includes executable and definable age-appropriate training scenarios. 2. Maintain a cadre of trainers/instructors to facilitate active resistance training. (Work with District partners to establish a framework as well as maintain affordability/sustainability). 2/28/23 215 South 6th St. W., Missoula, MT 59803 www.mcpsmt.org 406.728.2400

Priority Recommendations Missoula County Public Schools YEAR ONE Public & Facilities Safety and Security Advisory Committees Priority Recommendations A. Provide active resistance training, fist aid, and safety protocols for all District personnel, volunteers, and members of outside agencies/organizations working in school environments. 3. Surveys to identify and strengthen important modules of training related safety. 4. Update MCPS District Crisis Plan and building level crisis plans. 2/28/23 215 South 6th St. W., Missoula, MT 59803 www.mcpsmt.org 406.728.2400 to

Priority Recommendations Missoula County Public Schools YEAR ONE Public & Facilities Safety and Security Advisory Committees Priority Recommendations B. Assure Consistent, Reliable Systems 1. Identify main entrance / line of sight issues in all District buildings. 2. Securing of outside doors (other than main entrance). 3. Design and implement a consistent locking system/policy. 4. Implement and ENFORCE a mandatory badge system. 2/28/23 215 South 6th St. W., Missoula, MT 59803 www.mcpsmt.org 406.728.2400

Priority Recommendations Missoula County Public Schools YEAR ONE Public & Facilities Safety and Security Advisory Committees Priority Recommendations C. Ongoing Assessment of School Environments 1. Conduct regularly scheduled building assessment that includes: a. District Personnel b. Law Enforcement c. Fire Department d. EMT’s and other emergency responders 2. We are NOT reinventing the wheel: Assure consistent representation to ensure historical procedures and lessons learned are maintained. 2/28/23 215 South 6th St. W., Missoula, MT 59803 www.mcpsmt.org 406.728.2400

Priority Recommendations Missoula County Public Schools YEAR ONE Public & Facilities Safety and Security Advisory Committees Priority Recommendations C. Ongoing Assessment of School Environments 3. Continue periodic surveys of District personnel to identify safety concerns. 4. Work with City and Montana DOT to resolve Brooks Street/Higgins Ave. intersection safety issues related to Hellgate High School. (Currently in operation) 2/28/23 215 South 6th St. W., Missoula, MT 59803 www.mcpsmt.org 406.728.2400

Priority Recommendations Missoula County Public Schools YEAR ONE Public & Facilities Safety and Security Advisory Committees Priority Recommendations D. Strengthen Collaboration with Public Safety and Dispatchers 1. Establish and fund a designated District Physical Security and Safety Officer 2. Upgrade District telephone / communication systems 3. Share and evaluate MCPS District Crisis Plan and building level crisis plans with appropriate agencies/responders 4. Coordinate through the County Emergency Management Office to assure inclusion in the Emergency Management multiyear training and exercise plan 2/28/23 215 South 6th St. W., Missoula, MT 59803 www.mcpsmt.org 406.728.2400 District

Priority Recommendations Missoula County Public Schools YEAR ONE Bottom Line 1. Our environment and reality (What we are doing is significant) 2. Constant review and assessment (Public and Facility Safety & Security Task Force) 3. Establishment of a Safety & Security Officer position 4. Collaboration, rehearsal, operational plans require multi-tier involvement 5. We cannot afford inaction. The safety of students and staff must be priority one. 2/28/23 215 South 6th St. W., Missoula, MT 59803 www.mcpsmt.org 406.728.2400

Priority Recommendations Missoula County Public Schools YEAR ONE Long Range Planning for 21st Century Learning Environments 1. Assure building access control. 2. Implement campus-wide, effective communication system. 3. Assure sprinkler systems exist in all District buildings. 4. Consider inclusion of public safety measures in the future bond issue. 5. Consider expanding the number of School Resource Officers. 2/28/23 215 South 6th St. W., Missoula, MT 59803 www.mcpsmt.org 406.728.2400