April 2018 - Safety, Security and Threat Assessment Training Day

By Kadee Anstadt, Ed.D., Assistant Superintendent, Perrysburg Schools

In the past, Perrysburg Schools has been in session for students on Primary Election Days. The school district has historically not had school on General Election Days due to the higher voter turnout, which brings complications such as maintaining security in the school buildings, managing the voters and volunteers coming in and out of the school and parking congestion.

Perrysburg Schools has decided that it is in everyone's best interest to convert Tuesday, May 8, 2018 to a Safety, Security and Threat Assessment Training Day for all employees and not to be in session for students. The only exception to this is the previously scheduled AP testing, which will still take place for pertinent students at Perrysburg High School. No other students will be in school on Tuesday, May 8, 2018.

The Safety, Security and Threat Assessment Training Day will start with all employees for an overview and refresher on ALICE Training (alert, lockdown, inform, counter and evacuate) presented by Police Officers from Perrysburg Police Department. For the rest of the day, seven ALICE-Trained Officers will move through our schools, taking teachers, secretaries, monitors, cafe workers and custodians through safety scenarios tailored to each school. Everyone will work with 3-4 different officers with different scenarios and practice in different parts of their respective buildings to think through the best reactions to the scenarios.

Preschool staff will attend the morning session, but will receive specific training in August with Maumee City Schools, since they are located in a Maumee facility. Bus Drivers will attend morning session, but will then spend the rest of the day running the 2018-19 simulated bus routes to provide feedback. Drivers will receive additional Safety, Security and Threat Assessment Training in the fall.

In addition to running scenarios, each school will review our school district’s Threat Protocols and Jacket Way procedures related specifically to safety.

The Safety, Security and Threat Assessment Training Day will culminate with a Public Safety Panel from 7-9 p.m. at Hull Prairie Intermediate School (25480 Hull Prairie Road). The school district will present an overview of our programs, including: threat assessment, mental health, ALICE/Response to Active Shooter and the physical safety features of our schools, as well as fielding questions. The event is free and members of the public are encouraged to attend.

Moving forward, Perrysburg Schools will no longer schedule school for students on any Election Day as long as the schools are used as polling places. The school district plans to take advantage of the time on these future Election Days to offer additional training to all staff members.