Transaction Description:
SCHOOL SAFETY PLANNING EFFORTS
THE NEED FOR A SAFE, ORDERLY ATMOSPHERE THAT IS CONDUCIVE TO LEARNING IS ONE OF THE KEY ELEMENTS IN THE CORRELATES OF EFFECTIVE SCHOOLS. THIS TYPE OF ENVIRONMENT NURTURES INTERACTION BETWEEN ADMINISTRATORS, TEACHERS, PARENTS, COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS, AND STUDENTS THAT IS COLLABORATIVE, COOPERATIVE, AND LEARNER-CENTERED. THEREFORE, THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE QUITMAN SCHOOL DISTRICT (QSD), ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF, TEACHERS AND SUPPORT STAFF RECOGNIZE THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE SAFETY OF ALL STUDENTS, EMPLOYEES, VISITORS AND PARENTS ON DISTRICT PROPERTY OR AT SCHOOL-SPONSORED EVENTS. THIS EXTENDS TO POSSIBLE NATURAL AND/OR MAN-MADE DISASTERS. SUCH EMERGENCIES ARE BEST MET BY PLANNING AND PREPAREDNESS. THEREFORE, THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES AUTHORIZES A SYSTEM OF EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS BE DEVELOPED WHICH SHALL ENSURE THAT (1) THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF STUDENTS AND STAFF ARE SAFEGUARDED, (2) THE TIME NECESSARY FOR INSTRUCTIONAL PURPOSES IS NOT UNDULY DIVERTED, (3) MINIMUM DISRUPTION TO THE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM OCCURS, (4) STUDENTS ARE TAUGHT SELF-RELIANCE AND TRAINED TO RESPOND SENSIBLY TO EMERGENCY SITUATIONS.
THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES REQUIRES THAT ALL HEALTH AND SAFETY THREATS SHALL BE IDENTIFIED BY APPROPRIATE PERSONNEL AND RESPONDED TO PROMPTLY IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE EMERGENCY RESPONSE/OPERATIONAL PLAN THAT IS PLANNED/DEVELOPED BY EACH SCHOOLS CRISIS TEAM MEMBERS AND APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES ON A YEARLY BASIS. INDIVIDUAL SCHOOL EMERGENCY OPERATIONS PLANS INCLUDE A PROCEDURE FOR HANDLING ANY CRISIS AS NOTED IN THE DISTRICT-WIDE OPERATIONAL PLAN BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE FOLLOWING: EVACUATION, EARTHQUAKES, SEVERE WEATHER, STUDENT DEMONSTRATIONS OR RIOTS, LOCKDOWN, ACCIDENT/SERIOUS INJURY/ILLNESS, UTILITY EMERGENCY, HAZARDOUS MATERIALS INCIDENT, TRAIN DERAILMENT, OFF CAMPUS EMERGENCY-PRE-PLANNING, OFF CAMPUS EMERGENCY STEPS OF ACTION, STUDENT RUNAWAY/ABDUCTION, DEATH OF A STUDENT/STAFF MEMBER, EMERGENCY PROCEDURES FOR TEACHERS, SCHOOL SAFETY ASSESSMENT INSTRUMENT, PROCEDURE FOR COMMUNICATING WITH PARENTS AND THE COMMUNITY, PROCEDURE FOR DEALING WITH THE NEWS MEDIA, DESCRIPTIONS OF RESPONSIBILITIES FOR ALL PERSONNEL, PROCEDURE FOR TRAINING THOSE INVOLVED IN IMPLEMENTING THE PLAN AND A PROVISION FOR REGULAR UPDATING.
THE BUILDING TEAMS MEET PERIODICALLY TO ADDRESS POTENTIAL CRISIS ISSUES AND DETERMINE PLANS OF ACTION. IN THE EVENT OF AN ACTUAL CRISIS, THE DISTRICT LEVEL MANAGEMENT TEAM WILL CONVENE TO DETERMINE IMPLEMENTATION OF PLANS OF ACTION. THE DISTRICT LEVEL CRISIS MANAGEMENT TEAM CONSISTS OF THE SUPERINTENDENT, SUPERINTENDENTS DESIGNEE FROM THE DISTRICT AND THE PRINCIPAL OF THE BUILDING WHERE THE CRISIS HAS OCCURRED OR THE SUPERVISOR OF A DEPARTMENT SUCH AS TRANSPORTATION IF THE CRISIS IS BUS RELATED. OTHER TEAM MEMBERS SUCH AS LAW ENFORCEMENT OR OTHER EMERGENCY PERSONS MAY BE ADDED AT THE DISCRETION OF THE SUPERINTENDENT. IT IS IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND THAT ANY SCHOOL CLOSINGS AND RE-OPENINGS WILL BE THE SOLE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OR HIS/HER DESIGNEE IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE DISTRICT EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM.
EACH SCHOOL UNDERGOES A SITE AND RISK ASSESSMENTS THAT IS CONDUCTED BY THE DISTRICTS LEADER/APPOINTEE, SITE BUILDING ADMINISTRATOR, SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER, AND LOCAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT COORDINATOR USING A MODIFIED GEORGIAS SITE AND RISK ASSESSMENTS FORM AS A GUIDE TO MONITOR/EVALUATE ALL SCHOOL SITES CONSISTENTLY AND WITH FIDELITY. DURING THIS PROCESS, THE ENTIRE GROUNDS AND ALL BUILDINGS AT EACH SCHOOL SITE IS PHYSICALLY EVALUATED (WALK-THROUGH/INSPECTED) WITH THE SCHOOL PRINCIPAL/ADMINISTRATOR. THE PRINCIPAL AND SUPERINTENDENT/DESIGNEE IS PROVIDED WITH A HARDCOPY OF THE WRITTEN SITE AND RISK ASSESSMENTS. THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES IS ALSO PROVIDED WITH A SUMMARY OR REPORT OF EACH SCHOOLS SITE AND RISK ASSESSMENTS BY THE SUPERINTENDENT SO THAT SAFETY CONCERNS FOR EACH BUILDING ARE DISCUSSED AND PRIORITIZED.
THE DISTRICT HAS DEDICATED MUCH OF ITS TIME AND RESOURCES TO CREATING POSITIVE SCHOOL CLIMATES THAT ARE INCLUSIVE AND RESPONSIVE TO ALL STUDENTS. TO ACHIEVE THIS COMMITMENT, SCHOOL CLIMATE IMPROVEMENT EFFORTS AND INITIATIVES HAVE BEEN IMPLEMENTED OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS FOR ALL SCHOOLS AT THE DISTRICT LEVEL. EACH YEAR, FEDERAL PROGRAMS PROVIDES EACH SCHOOL WITH A COMPREHENSIVE NEEDS ASSESSMENT (CNA) THAT IS CONDUCTED THROUGH THE DISTRICTS WEBSITE FOR TEACHERS, PARENTS, STUDENTS AND COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS TO PROVIDE FEEDBACK TO THE DISTRICT AND INDIVIDUAL SCHOOLS PERTAINING TO THE USE OF FUNDS, SAFETY AND CLIMATE, TECHNOLOGY, ACADEMIC/CURRICULUM AND PARENT ENGAGEMENT. THE CNA, ALONG WITH PARENTS COMPLAINTS/REPORTS, INDICATED A NEED FOR SURVEILLANCE CAMERAS AND OTHER SAFETY DEVICES TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF ALL STUDENTS, FACULTY AND STAFF. QUITMAN SCHOOL DISTRICT BELIEVES THAT STUDENTS AND TEACHERS SHOULD BE PROVIDED A SAFE SCHOOL CLIMATE WHERE THE ENVIRONMENT IS/HAS (1) FREE OF VIOLENCE, BULLYING, HARASSMENT AND SUBSTANCE USE; (2) EQUIPPED WITH APPROPRIATE FACILITIES AND PHYSICAL SURROUNDINGS; (3) SUPPORTIVE ACADEMIC SETTING; (4) CLEAR AND FAIR DISCIPLINARY POLICIES; (5) RESPECTFUL, TRUSTING, AND CARING RELATIONSHIPS THROUGHOUT THE SCHOOL COMMUNITY; AND (6) AVAILABLE SOCIAL, EMOTIONAL AND BEHAVIORAL SUPPORTS. THEREFORE, THE DISTRICT PARTNERED WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI (USM) TO PROVIDE AND FULLY IMPLEMENT EVIDENCE-BASED STRATEGIES FOR K-12. THE IMPLEMENTATION OF POSITIVE BEHAVIOR INTERVENTIONIST SUPPORT (PBIS) K-12 AND MULTI-TIERED SYSTEM OF SUPPORTS (MTSS) CONSISTED OF A DISTRICT-WIDE TEAM SUMMER TRAINING FOLLOWED BY SCHOOL LEVEL TRAINING. THE DISTRICT/SCHOOLS ARE PROVIDED WITH A PBIS COACH AND SUBMIT QUARTERLY DATA (TIER FIDELITY INVENTORY FORM AND BIG 5 DATA FORM) TO USM WHILE ATTENDING ON-GOING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT (WEBINARS AND FACE-TO-FACE TRAINING). THE TIER FIDELITY INVENTORY FORM ALLOWS THE SCHOOLS TO EVALUATE THEMSELVES ON A SCALE OF 0 TO 2 FOR AN OVERALL GRADE ON PROCEDURES/PROCESSES THAT ARE NEEDED OR ARE NOT WORKING TO THE FULLEST POTENTIAL. THE BIG 5 FORM ALLOWS SCHOOLS TO GATHER/EVALUATE BEHAVIOR DATA BY HOW, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN AND WHO (LOCATION, TIME, NUMBER OF REFERRALS, TYPE OF BEHAVIOR ETC.). THESE TWO DATA-DRIVEN, MULTI-TIERED FRAMEWORKS ALLOW THE SCHOOLS TO PROVIDE STUDENTS WITH A CONTINUUM OF BEHAVIORAL AND ACADEMIC SUPPORT/INTERVENTIONS THAT WILL INCREASE POSITIVE BEHAVIOR AND ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT. DURING THE MTSS PROCESS, STUDENT DATA IS EVALUATED EVERY FOUR WEEKS BY THE MTSS COMMITTEE THIS COMMITTEE CONSISTS OF ACADEMIC TEACHERS, ADMINISTRATOR, COUNSELOR, ETC. THE PBIS PROCESS HAS A SCHOOL WIDE PLAN THAT SETS SCHOOL EXPECTATIONS AND INCENTIVES FOR STUDENTS AND TEACHERS THROUGHOUT THE SCHOOL YEAR THAT MAY BE EARNED WEEKLY, MIDTERM, QUARTERLY, AND/OR YEARLY.
THREAT ASSESSMENT PROCESSES AND PROCEDURES ARE DEVELOPED AT EACH SCHOOL SITE WITH THE CRISIS TEAM MEMBERS. IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE REGULATIONS OF MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, ALL SCHOOLS MUST HAVE PROVIDED ADEQUATE TRAINING AND DRILLS TO TEACHERS AND STUDENTS. EACH SCHOOL MUST CONDUCT THE FOLLOWING DRILLS EACH YEAR AT MINIMUM: BUS EVACUATION DRILLS 2 TIMES, FIRE EVACUATION DRILLS 9 TIMES, TORNADO DRILLS 2 TIMES, EARTHQUAKE DRILLS 2 TIMES, BOMB SEARCH DRILLS 2 TIMES, LOCK DOWN DRILLS 2 TIMES, INTRUDER/VIOLENT INCIDENT 2 TIMES ANNUALLY (WITHIN THE FIRST 60 DAYS OF EACH SEMESTER). EACH SCHOOL ADMINISTRATOR MUST DOCUMENT AND REPORT EACH DRILL/TRAINING USING THE SCHOOL EMERGENCY DRILL DOCUMENTATION FORM. THE LOCAL SCHOOL SAFETY PARTNERSHIPS THAT MAY ASSIST DURING DRILLS/TRAININGS CONSIST OF THE FOLLOWING: SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER WHO IS PROVIDED BY LOCAL SHERIFF DEPARTMENT, LOCAL POLICE DEPARTMENT, LOCAL SHERIFF DEPARTMENT, LOCAL CHURCHES OR OTHER USED SITES, AND LOCAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT. OTHER SAFETY TRAININGS THAT ARE PROVIDED IN THE DISTRICT ARE SUICIDE PREVENTION TRAINING USING THE JASON FOUNDATION MATERIALS AND IS PROVIDED EVERY 2 YEARS FOR EXISTING STAFF AND YEARLY FOR NEW STAFF; FERPA (FAMILY EDUCATIONAL RIGHTS AND PRIVACY ACT) TRAINING, PROVIDED TO ALL TEACHERS/PERSONNEL AT THE BEGINNING OF EACH YEAR; AND SECLUSION AND RESTRAINT TRAINING IS PROVIDED TO ALL TEACHERS BY THE SPECIAL EDUCATION DIRECTOR AND A DISTRICT-WIDE SAFETY TRAINING/PREVENTIONS ON FALLS, SLIPS AND TRIPS WHILE REVIEWING THE NUMBER OF CLAIMS FOR THE DISTRICT.
FUNDING REQUEST AND INTEGRATION
THE PRIMARY OBJECTIVE/GOAL OF THIS FUNDING REQUEST IS TO ALLOW QUITMAN SCHOOL DISTRICT THE OPPORTUNITY TO INCREASE THE PRESENCE OF SECURITY AND SAFETY FOR STUDENTS AND TEACHERS BY INPUTTING AN ACCESS CONTROL SYSTEM CONSISTING AT ALL SCHOOLS. WITH THE INSTALLATION OF THE REQUESTED SAFETY AND SECURITY DEVICES STUDENTS WILL FEEL MORE SECURE. THE FUNDING REQUEST WILL PROVIDE A CONTINUUM OF SUPPORT TO OUR CURRENT SCHOOL SAFETY PLANNING EFFORTS.
THOUGH IT CAN BE ADVANTAGEOUS, BEING LOCATED IN A SMALL-RURAL TOWN THAT IS FAMILY AND COMMUNITY-ORIENTED IS SOMETIMES A HARD BATTLE TO CONQUER WITH THE SCHOOL DISTRICT. IN REGARD TO QSD, ALL SCHOOLS ARE OPEN WITH DETACHED BUILDINGS AND FREELY ACCESSIBLE BY THE PUBLIC. IN ADDITION, ALL SCHOOLS SHARE ONE SRO AMONG ALL SCHOOLS. AS A RESULT, IT IS EASY FOR INTRUDERS TO ENTER THE SCHOOLS, ENDANGERING THE LIVES OF STUDENTS AND TEACHERS. THEREFORE, TO MINIMIZE THE THREAT FOR ALL CAMPUSES, THE INSTALLATION OF CONTROL ACCESS ENTRANCE DOORS WOULD PROVIDE ANOTHER LEVEL OF SECURITY FOR ALL BUILDINGS AT EACH SCHOOL. THIS INSTALLATION WOULD ALSO ASSIST IN INTEGRATING THE EVIDENCE-BASED STRATEGIES OF POSITIVE BEHAVIOR INTERVENTIONIST SUPPORT (PBIS), FULFILLING THE COMMITMENT TO PROVIDE STUDENTS, PARENTS, AND TEACHERS THE SPACE TO FEEL A SENSE OF OWNERSHIP AND SELF-WORTH THROUGH SECURITY AND SAFETY. TO PROMOTE STUDENT ACTIVISM AND ENSURE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THIS IMPLEMENTATION, STUDENTS CAN RECEIVE INCENTIVES FOR THEIR ROLE IN KEEPING THE CAMPUS SAFE. THIS INSTALLATION WILL DECREASE THE FEAR FOR STUDENTS WHO FEAR BEING BULLIED FOR EXPOSING/IDENTIFYING BULLIES/THE INTRUDER AS THEY COOPERATE WITH SCHOOL OFFICIALS.
MANAGEMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION PLAN
THE MANAGEMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS PLAN WILL BE COORDINATED BY THE DISTRICT CRISIS TEAM ALONG WITH THE TECHNOLOGY DIRECTOR AND MAINTENANCE DIRECTOR. TO ENSURE EFFECTIVE IMPLEMENTATION AND OVERSIGHT OF THE PROJECT, THE CRISIS TEAM HAS ALREADY MET TO DISCUSS THE NEEDS OF THE PROJECT AND WILL CONTINUE TO MEET TO DISCUSS/ASSIGN ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES AMONGST THE CRISIS TEAM. THE CRISIS TEAM WILL CONSTRUCT A TIMELINE TO HELP KEEP THE PROJECT ON TRACK DURING IMPLEMENTATION AND TO HOLD CONTRACTORS ACCOUNTABLE. THE TIMELINE WILL ALSO ALLOW FOR EASY TRACKING/RECORDING OF ALL KEY ACTIVITIES AND/OR MILESTONES DURING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROJECT ON A QUARTERLY BASIS. THE FEDERAL PROGRAMS DIRECTOR (PART OF THE DISTRICT CRISIS TEAM) WILL WORK CLOSELY WITH THE TECHNOLOGY DIRECTOR, MAINTENANCE DIRECTOR, AND BUSINESS MANAGER TO ENSURE THAT ALL FEDERAL AND STATE PROCUREMENTS ARE FOLLOWED WHEN PURCHASING ANY AND ALL TECHNOLOGY EQUIPMENT, RESOURCES AND/OR MATERIALS. AS THE STAKEHOLDER AND KEY PARTNERSHIP OF THIS PROJECT, THE SUPERINTENDENT IS A MEMBER OF THE DISTRICT CRISIS TEAM AND WILL PROVIDE INPUT IN THE DECISION-MAKING PROCESS OF THE PROJECT. IN ADDITION, THE SUPERINTENDENT FULLY SUPPORTS THE PROJECT AND UNDERSTANDS THAT THE DISTRICT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR MATCHING TWENTY-FIVE PERCENT OF THE PROJECT AWARDED AMOUNT.
SUSTAINABILITY PLAN
PROJECT: SECURITY FOR ALL WILL BE SUSTAINED BY THE SCHOOL DISTRICT AND/OR TITLE IV FUNDS AFTER THE AWARD HAS CEASED. THE SCHOOL DISTRICT TECHNOLOGY AND MAINTENANCE DEPARTMENT WILL CONTINUE TO SERVICE AND MAINTAIN ALL NECESSARY EQUIPMENT AS BOTH OF THE DEPARTMENTS CURRENTLY DO WITH EXISTING EQUIPMENT AS IT PERTAINS TO THEIR DEPARTMENT. THE IMPLEMENTATION OF TECHNOLOGY WILL NOT REPLACE PERSONNEL OR OTHER DAILY SAFETY PROCEDURES. THE CLARKE COUNTY SHERIFF DESIGNATES TWO LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER TRAINING ACADEMY CERTIFIED DEPUTY SHERIFFS TO SERVE AS SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS (SRO). THE SROS SHALL AT ALL TIMES REMAIN UNDER THE DIRECTION AND EMPLOYMENT OF THE CLARKE COUNTY SHERIFFS DEPARTMENT WHILE SERVING IN THE CAPACITY OF AN SRO. HOWEVER, QSD WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR REIMBURSING CLARKE COUNTY FOR THE WAGES, AND/OR FRINGE BENEFITS OF THE SROS ON A MONTHLY BASIS. THE SROS ARE FIRST AND FOREMOST LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS AND WILL CONTINUE TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ADDRESSING ANY CRIMINAL COMPLAINT OR INCIDENT THAT ARISES ON SCHOOL PROPERTY OR DURING SCHOOL-SPONSORED EVENTS ALONG WITH THE ADMINISTRATORS. THE SROS/ADMINISTRATORS WILL ADHERE TO ANY AND ALL QSD POLICIES/PROCEDURES FOR QUESTIONING, SEARCH AND SEIZURE, AND SURVEILLANCE AS IT PERTAINS TO STUDENTS RIGHTS/DUE PROCESS. LAST, AS THE STAKEHOLDER AND KEY PARTNERSHIP OF THIS PROJECT, THE SUPERINTENDENT IS A MEMBER OF THE DISTRICT CRISIS TEAM AND HAS/WILL PROVIDE INPUT IN THE DECISION-MAKING PROCESS OF THE PROJECT. IN ADDITION, THE SUPERINTENDENT FULLY SUPPORTS THE PROJECT AND UNDERSTANDS THAT THE DISTRICT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR FUTURE MAINTENANCE OF THE PROJECT ONCE THE AWARD HAS CEASED.
BUDGET NARRATIVE
THE REQUESTED BUDGETED ITEMS FOR CONTROLLED ACCESS SYSTEM INSTALLATION THAT ARE LISTED IN THE BUDGET SECTION OF THIS GRANT APPLICATION WILL BE USED IN THE PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION WHICH CONSIST OF INSTALLING ACCESS CONTROL SYSTEMS IN ALLSCHOOLS IN QUITMAN SCHOOL DISTRICT TO INCREASE THE PRESENCE OF SECURITY AND SAFETY FOR STUDENTS AND TEACHERS. THIS INSTALLATION WOULD ALSO ASSIST QSD IN INTEGRATING THE EVIDENCE-BASED STRATEGIES OF POSITIVE BEHAVIOR INTERVENTIONIST SUPPORT (PBIS), FULFILLING THE COMMITMENT TO PROVIDE STUDENTS, PARENTS, AND TEACHERS THE SPACE TO FEEL A SENSE OF OWNERSHIP AND SELF-WORTH THROUGH SECURITY AND SAFETY. TO PROMOTE STUDENT ACTIVISM AND ENSURE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THIS IMPLEMENTATION, STUDENTS CAN RECEIVE INCENTIVES FOR THEIR ROLE IN KEEPING THE CAMPUS SAFE. THIS INSTALLATION WILL DECREASE THE FEAR FOR STUDENTS WHO FEAR BEING BULLIED FOR EXPOSING/IDENTIFYING BULLIES/THE INTRUDER AS THEY COOPERATE WITH SCHOOL OFFICIALS. THE FUNDING REQUEST WILL PROVIDE A CONTINUUM OF SUPPORT TO OUR CURRENT SCHOOL SAFETY PLANNING EFFORTS.
