The safety and security of students attending Federal Way Public Schools continues to be a priority for the school district, but results are a work in progress.
The Federal Way school board received an update on current procedures and future plans to improve student and staff welfare and protection Tuesday, but made no decisions on the matter.
“We have a lot of work to do,” Superintendent Tammy Campbell told the school board.
“You’re going to still see a lot under construction, but they will be sharing what we’ve been doing because if our scholars aren’t safe, that really is a deal-breaker. Safety is of the utmost importance, and that’s why we wanted to showcase this presentation today.”
Paul Vang, director of safety and security, and Deputy Superintendent Dani Pfeiffer highlighted to school board members areas in safety and security that have been improved, as well as areas that still need work.
The school district is implementing changes based on recommendations made during a security audit, deemed the 2015-2016 Safety and Security Review, conducted from October 2015 through April 2016, by The Crocker Group, an educational consultant.
The group reviewed documents and procedures, collected data, reviewed data sources, interviewed safety and security staff, principals and district leaders, and assessed each school’s overall safety and security during the audit, which was initiated by Campbell when she assumed leadership.
“One of Superintendent Campbell’s 100-day entry plan goals was to assess organizational effectiveness, with a safety and security audit being a top priority,” Alison Dempsey-Hall, a school district spokeswoman, said.
The safety initiatives Vang is implementing were divided into four categories: Security and Safety Department, school safety, emergency preparedness and communications and partnerships.
Security and Safety Department
In his initial assessment of the department, Vang found that his department staff had a “very low morale” for a number of reasons, mostly centering around transparency and on-call duties.
The first measure Vang implemented was a scheduling change to 24/7 shifts, which eliminates staff having to be on call.
“Therefore, they wouldn’t have to be interrupted in their time off,” Vang said. “They can spend time with their families, and it will also add an advantage to the district in terms of having 24/7 for all of the school district in terms of responses and calls for service.”
As well, a Safety Security Officer Academy was offered, which provided structured training to staff.
An ongoing assessment of the police department plan for all security officers is in place, as well as field training for all newly hired officers.
Officers also recently received a streamlined uniform of royal blue, the district’s color, and a custom badge to “enhance professionalism.”
The department has also revised the job descriptions of security officers, revised performance evaluations and replaced a security manager position with that of a director.
A department mission statement is still in the works, and Vang said he anticipates that to be complete by the end of February.
In the mean time, the department is still focusing on these key actions:
• Implementing a district-wide access control system for visitors. Although a visitors management system and key access cards have been established, the department is still trying to secure funding for the system.
The system costs between $130,000 to $150,000. District officials say they are trying to secure a $100,000 grant from Risk Management Pool, with the remaining funds coming from the district.
“The details of what the visitors management system will look like is still under development,” Dempsey-Hall said.
“Every school will have a machine that can scan driver’s licenses and other identification that connects to our district information system.”
• Utilizing security officers as subject matter experts and trainers on security-related issues.
• Implementing panic buttons for all sites and schools.
• Placing campus officers at all high schools. Todd Beamer High School’s campus security personnel was hired earlier this month.
School Safety
The department confirmed current procedures are sufficient at all schools, however the following recommendations have yet to be implemented:
• Determining the most cost-effective lock mechanism for all classrooms.
• Monitoring and enforcing identification badge displays on all school premises.
• Continuing safety assessments and analyses of playground equipment.
• Evaluating and monitoring transportation areas, such as bus stops.
• Replacing security equipment such as radios, cameras and DVRs.
Emergency Preparedness
“When I came on board, I noticed every school does their own evacuation, lock down and everything else differently,” Vang said. “So what we have come up with is a standardized curriculum, which is based on three phases.”
The first phase is to train all school staff on evacuation protocol. The second is to practice and drill with the schools. The third is to conduct compliance checks.
Dempsey-Hall said the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction requires annual drills for every school in the state.
“We also have standardized protocols for other emergency preparedness and training and partner with our local fire and police agencies to ensure our standardized protocols are in alignment with their protocols,” she said.
“Our Safety and Security Department uses local, state and national industry best practices to {create} safe learning environments for our scholars.”
Although the department has established a black box system that contains hard copy maps and keys for all schools in emergencies, the department intends to continue working with the district to ensure schools all have compatible radios and other security equipment.
Communications and Partnerships
Vang said his department has continuously worked to develop and foster a working relationship between various internal departments, such as the superintendent’s office and operations and facilities, as well as those within the community.
“I feel that safety and security has to be a partnership, a partnership that is owned and that is practiced throughout the district,” he said. “… We can’t accomplish {this} without all these partners and the community, of course, together so that we can truly bring our safety and security for our schools.”
For more information about the district’s security, visit www.fwps.org/Page/2159.
