Superintendent outlines reunification drills, ambulance lanes and interagency planning ahead of larger safety exercise

Superintendent Dr. Betty Meyer told trustees the district conducted a reunification drill at the Bonner County Fairgrounds and is planning a larger exercise in October involving multiple Sandpoint schools and partner agencies.

“We took both third grade classrooms, and so it was the largest students we've done so far,” Meyer said, describing the recent exercise. She said Kelly (district reunification lead) and CSOs coordinated site visits and logistics and that the district is using input from law enforcement in choosing primary and secondary reunification sites.

Meyer described contingency planning for scenarios that would prevent family access to school sites and said that if students or staff are injured, the district would use the Monarch County Fairgrounds as the reunification site rather than a nearby church site after law enforcement advised the district about scene‑security constraints. She said planners are mapping ambulance lanes, bus lanes and staging areas and have run drills that include “waves” for triage and evacuation so first responders can check for secondary threats before moving students.

Meyer credited cross‑agency participation, including a consistent sheriff's office representative who will attend monthly meetings, and said the district has prioritized detailed site mapping and rehearsal of scenario‑based actions. “We’re really far ahead of anybody else in North Idaho,” Meyer said.

Board members asked for clarification of sites and timing; Meyer said the larger exercise is planned for October and staff will provide further logistical details as the district finalizes plans with law enforcement and partner agencies. No action was taken; this was an informational report to the board.