District details new radios, buzz‑in doors and reunification drills; board approves curriculum purchase and opioid policy

The Snohomish School District on Tuesday described this year’s safety and security work — including a new district‑wide radio system, expanded door buzz‑in systems, a reunification exercise and plans to update the district emergency plan — and the board approved several routine items including a curriculum purchase and a new opioid overdose reversal policy.

Dave Sage, the district presenter on safety and security, told the Board of Directors the district has deployed mobile radios and base stations “at every school and building across the district,” enabling one‑to‑one and district‑wide communication. Sage credited Jeff Scott, the district’s safety and security manager, with staff training and implementation.

“All our elementary and middle schools currently have the buzz in system,” Sage said, adding that comprehensive high schools are scheduled to receive buzz‑in systems next year after additional planning with school leaders. The district also adopted a common template for recording safety drills and safety committee notes; schools email the completed forms to Jeff Scott monthly for tracking and follow‑up.

Sage described a March 14 reunification exercise that simulated moving students from Centennial Middle School to a reunification site at Snohomish Community Church. “Principal Rosenbaugh and a small group of students exited the campus and walked to the rally point where a bus met them and transported them to the reunification site,” Sage said, and staff, first responders and other officials observed and debriefed to refine traffic flow and station layout. The district plans a similar exercise at Gold Creek Church next year for south‑end schools.

The presentation also covered a crossing‑guard training pilot at Emerson Elementary, a planned survey of emergency supplies in classrooms, and a multi‑year project to revise and condense the district’s 100‑page emergency plan into a more user‑friendly document.

Board members asked about budgeting for supplies and coordination with county emergency management. Sage said a safety and security budget exists for emergency supplies, but the district will complete a survey of building needs before recommending specific purchases. He also said his office works with Snohomish County emergency management and local first responders and that Jeff Scott attends regular regional emergency meetings.

During the meeting the board approved several motions: the minutes from recent meetings, a revised consent agenda (including a revised personnel report and a revised list of surplus technology equipment), a purchase of Modern Business Math curriculum for $29,858.52 (including tax), and adoption of policy 3424 on opioid‑related overdose reversal. Each motion was moved, seconded and the chair announced the motion carried; vote tallies were not specified in the public record.

Rob (board member) summarized the board’s stance after public comment on school safety: “We hear them, and I would just ask for patience and understanding that we are bound by several different sets of laws that regulate what we as a board can do and engage in and what the district can share,” he said.

The district said it will continue to update procedures and training and asked staff to return with recommended changes and supply recommendations after the planned surveys and plan revision work.