School Board Expands Safety Measures Under Alyssa's Law for Enhanced Compliance

The Othello School District Board meeting on July 28, 2025, focused on enhancing school safety measures in compliance with Alyssa's Law, which was passed earlier this year with overwhelming bipartisan support. The law aims to improve communication between schools and local law enforcement, a critical factor in emergency situations.

During the meeting, board members discussed the importance of timely responses to potential threats, referencing past school incidents where rapid communication could have made a significant difference. The district has already approved a new safety system that will further enhance their compliance with Alyssa's Law, which requires schools to have effective communication protocols in place.

The new system includes features such as alert buttons that can be activated by staff to signal emergencies, which will be integrated with existing safety measures. The installation of this system is expected to begin in the fall, with training for staff to follow shortly after. This training will emphasize the importance of having identification on hand and treating safety tools with care.

While the district is already on track to meet compliance standards by October, the new system adds an additional layer of security. The board expressed appreciation for the proactive steps taken to ensure student safety, highlighting the ongoing commitment to improving school security measures. The next steps involve finalizing the installation timeline and preparing staff for the new protocols.