The Waunakee School Board heard a presentation from Dustin Liebeck, the district’s safety and security coordinator, on current and planned safety and security work, including completed mapping for first responders, monthly required drills, upcoming building assessments, and a large COPS grant application submitted in June.

Liebeck said the district has implemented the Standard Response Protocol (SRP) for uniform crisis responses and has scheduled multi-day SRM (standard reunification method) training by the I Love You Guys Foundation, including a full day dedicated to reunification exercises. He described a recently completed Department of Justice grant that provided digital building maps to first responders so they can locate doors and internal locations quickly during an incident. “If you think of an ambulance responding to a school and being told to go to Door 3 and they don't know the building, this will come up onto their pad now,” Liebeck said.

The district also submitted a COPS (School Violence Prevention Program) grant in June that, if awarded, would fund updated exterior security cameras, automated security gates, customized SRP/SRM training in English and Spanish for staff and families, a full‑scale active‑threat exercise with county partners, and a part‑time project manager to deliver the work within the grant year. Liebeck told the board the COPS grant decision is expected September 30.

Liebeck said third‑party building assessments through the Department of Homeland Security will be completed by September and that building‑level safety enhancements are planned for the coming year, including clock/bell/PA linkage to SRP activations, door‑prop alarms, visitor management improvements and additional bus‑camera coverage. He noted monthly drills are conducted in accordance with Wisconsin statute and that the district will work with neighboring districts and local businesses to support large-scale reunification if needed.

Board members asked about training exercises and staffing capacity; some members raised the question of whether the coordinator role as currently funded (0.5 FTE) matches the scope of expected work. Liebeck and Dr. Brown said the position works with a broader team and that grant funding could support a project-coordinator role if awarded.

No formal board action was required; the board received the report and will consider grant outcomes and staffing questions following grant decisions and future budgeting work.