SAFE SCHOOLS: AREA COMMITTEE ESTABLISHES PLAN

No major crises have occurred at area schools in recent memory, and members of a Cape Girardeau County campus security committee hope to keep that record going for years to come.

A committee of representatives from area public schools and law enforcement agencies began developing an emergency response plan last spring to improve safety and security in schools. Cape Girardeau schools resource officer, police Cpl. Barry Hovis, and Central High School assistant principal Mark Ruark chaired the committee. The panel developed a comprehensive list of security and emergency recommendations that were presented to the Cape Girardeau Board of Education Monday night.

Cape Girardeau school administrators will review the committee's findings and make a recommendation to the school board in the near future.

"We set out to develop a plan that would provide the safest school district regardless of money," said Ruark. "In light of the tragedies that occurred in Pearl, Miss., and Heath, Ky., last year, we think it's becoming more and more important that we make sure we are prepared in case of a crisis of any kind occurs."

Ruark said school districts need to develop an emergency response plan for natural disasters and other emergency situations that is practiced and modified regularly. Law enforcement agencies should help develop the plans and should have detailed maps of buildings that include common names of specific areas, he said.

"We have a very good history of open communication between our school district and law enforcement," said Ruark. "By keeping them involved we will be able to develop a plan that should cover all the bases and have maximum efficiency in the event of an emergency."

Ruark and Hovis said implementing preventative measures would be the most important way to maximize school security. The committee found that high visibility of staff and improving communication between students and staff are low-cost measures that are highly effective. Other technical instruments like security cameras, metal detectors and additional personnel carry high price tags but may not be as effective, they said.

The committee said an identification badge system is a highly effective means of distinguishing strangers and intruders in school buildings. Hovis is awaiting approval of a grant written last spring that would implement a badge system in Cape Giardeau schools.

"I think the identification badge system would be a big help," Hovis said. "When we look at Central and the junior high, we're talking about around 2,000 kids. It's tough to know who's supposed to be there if you've got a student who's been suspended or if you've got an open campus."

Ruark said he personally advocated school uniforms in public schools. Even a partial dress code for students and staff would be an effective way to distinguish outsiders from school buildings, and it would eliminate the easy concealment of weapons, he said.

"There is a lot of information out there that documents that school uniforms reduce discipline problems," said Ruark. "I am a proponent of school uniforms, even if it's nothing more than the same style of shirt."

Cape Girardeau National Education Association president Brenda Woemmel said she was pleased with the committee's findings but hopes people won't develop irrational fears about school security. "We want to try to walk that fine line between not creating a hysteria and providing the best and safest environment in our schools," she said.

Area school superintendents said many school districts have emergency preparedness plans in place, but the committee's findings will make it easier to modify those plans as needed. Most administrators said no formal committee presentations were scheduled in their district.

Safety committee recommendations

Emergency response recommendations from a joint safety committee to the Cape Girardeau Board of Education:

Prior to an emergency

Develop an emergency response plan, select a response team; determine chain of command; determine who calls police and notifies office; establish staging areas for staff, students parents and media; select a spokesperson; give police a map of building with common names; practice the plan.

During a crisis

Activate emergency response team, ensure safety of students, activate staging areas, preserve crime scene.

After the crisis

Hold debriefing to adjust plan to meet problems, provide counseling for staff and students.

Methods of prevention

The following is a list of possible school violence deterrents. (No recommendations for implementation were made to the school board, and few costs were researched by the committee.)

Identification badge system; school uniforms; limit access to building; develop two-way intercom communication in classrooms; restrict parking; take action against all threats, whether said jokingly or seriously; increase supervision and visibility; outlaw backpacks; outlaw lockers; purchase metal detectors; hire another school resource officer or security guards; train students and staff to report possible security breaches; improve accessibility to medical supplies and student records in classrooms.