Park Hill administration shared an update on its safety and security programs with the board of education last week.
At the Thursday, Nov. 9 meeting of the board, Chad Phillips, director of safety and security presented the update on the district’s efforts to keep students and staff safe.
The district’s 2023 community engagement survey results showed patrons were concerned about safety, particularly at elementary and middle schools, with that concern listed among the top three, along with concerns about aging school facilities and availability of learning spaces. At the high school level, athletic field concerns outweighed safety in the top three slots.
As part of the district’s long range facilities plan, a director of safety and security was hired, front entrances to school facilities were secured, school resource officers were employed, mass communication systems implemented, active shooter training conducted and more. Buildings undergo quarterly safety audits and are observed via a “vast” camera system, officials said. In addition, de-escalation training, large event security plans and a district emergency operations plan have been completed.
An all-hazards risk assessment began Oct. 31 to confirm safety and security at each building and to locate vulnerabilities.
Phillips also reported that more than $200,000 in grant funds from the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education was awarded to the district and will fund gymnasium and stadium cameras, more radios for crisis teams, lockdown door magnets, additional AED units and Stop the Bleed kids as well as Narcan.