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Kamloops News

'Critical gaps' in SD73 security

A security vestibule is one of the safety measures a committee has looked at for the school district.
Image Credit: School District 73

KAMLOOPS – A committee formed to look at what type of safety and security measures are currently in place at School District 73 schools has found the only consistent theme throughout is the inconsistency of existing procedures.

District manager of health and safety Michelle Marginet led a committee of a dozen people in discussing the physical, operational and policy measures in place to help maintain the safety of people and property in the school district.

“The assumption that 'it can’t happen here' may be the single, greatest obstacle in advancing or implementing any of the measures discussed in this report,” Marginet says of the resistance the district may face.

While there may be some resistance to a proposed change of procedures she notes the group found an inconsistency in how measures are followed creates 'unnecessary and potentially critical gaps in district safety and security.'

Superintendent Terry Sullivan set a policy to see all outside doors locked while classes are in session to help stream visitors through the main entrance following the high profile shooting incident in Newtown, Connecticut in December.

From there the committee was formed to look at what other administrative actions and physical enhancements could further improve safety while still keeping schools as welcoming as possible.

Some of the recommendations the committee is making include name tags for all staff, consistent lockdown procedures, sign-in books, window coverings on all exterior windows and threat assessment and conflict resolution training for staff. The committee also looked at items such as a vestibule system that could be outfitted with a metal detector, swipe cards and security cameras.

Marginet has outlined the advantages and disadvantages to each of the security measures in a report to the board, which will be reviewed Monday night.

To contact a reporter for this story, email jstahn@infotelnews.ca, call (250)819-3723 or tweet @JennStahn.

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