Like other students, Cessily Fahr, 17, is conscious of the recent acts of school violence that have occurred in Pennsylvania, Colorado and Wisconsin.
‘None of the shootings have personally affected me,? says Fahr, a Brandon High School senior.
‘But they have really opened my eyes and helped me realize that it’s always possible.?
Living in a small town can feel secure, Fahr says, but the recent events involving small towns like Ortonville show that anything can happen, and the importance of a school security system.
‘Basically, it seems anyone can walk in and out of the schools, no questions asked.?
Fahr is just one of more than 5,000 students throughout the Brandon and Goodrich School districts that depend on school administrators to secure hundreds of doors, windows and entrances to buildings. From locked doors, to security cameras, to parking lot patrols, school officials face a daunting task of monitoring sprawling buildings for more than 16 hours each school day.
‘Our kids are safe,? said Tom Miller, Brandon Schools superintendent. ‘When students enter the building all the doors are locked with the exception of the doors by the office. At the elementary schools when the kids leave for recess the doors are locked except for recess when staff is present. Guests are required to report to the office along with parents if they are coming to pick up students. While we have no security cameras, we are conscience of who is in the building at all times.?
Miller emphaized that students and parents need to be aware if they suspect something out of place, such as a change in mood, or behavior, can be a sign of a pending problem with a student or person. A big part of the security, adds Miller, is to stave off a future situation.
‘Even if it’s a joke, or just for attention let a staff member know or call a principal if there’s even a hint of a problem. If we know about it in advance troubles can be avoided.?
Michigan State Police Sgt. Jerry King with the Home Land Security, said school districts like Brandon and Goodrich have had available grant money set aside to help plan, exercise and develop a program for school safety. Included in the plan were vulnerably assessments and table top meetings which incorporated police, fire and local safety teams within the community.
‘The program forced people to come to the table,? said King. ‘Our goal was 96 percent participation in the program and I’m certain we’ve done that.?
King agrees with Miller with regard to prevention and reporting behaviors of individuals as a means to curtail possible conflicts. King emphizes that due to the sheer size and number of multi-entrance school buildings, the single point entry to watch all who enter a building is just not feasable.
‘Ultimately, examining an individuals behaviors and linking these behaviors is the key to heading off a possible problem,? said King. ‘The secret service confirms this, challenging the person in the school that looks out of place or asking questions of someone where they’re not supposed to be. For example, Why is someone in the school without a visitor’s pass? And parents just have to understand they can’t just rush into a school and demand to take the kid out’they need to go to the office first. It’s up to everyone to uphold these measures.?
Kim Hart, Goodrich Schools superintendent says students in the district are safe but agrees it’s difficult to watch everyone coming and going from school buildings.
‘Our kids are secure, but if they want to come in it’s difficult to stop,? said Hart.
Unlike Brandon School district buildings, the Goodrich district has security cameras posted at both the high school and middle school.
‘The cameras are helpful however, more and higher quality units are needed to improve the effectivness. A bigger security issue is the design and layout of the buildings especially at the high school. Specifically, tudents can enter through a variety of doors in both the front and back of buildings.. The sidewalks don’t go around the buildings and the parking lot is wrapped all around the buildings. The school board will consider more cameras and entrances issues during the upcoming bond discussions.?
Like Brandon school staff, Goodrich staff is trained and crises teams are in place to secure buildings and look for warning signs with regard to students said Hart. Other measures include ID badges, lock down drills.