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District outlines purchase of about 1,200 lockdown kits, metal-detector use and security upgrades; board discusses creating district security position
Summary
District staff described a grant-funded purchase of roughly 1,200 lockdown kits, expanded use of metal detectors and plans to explore ballistic film and vestibule retrofits; board members proposed creating a district-level security officer role to audit campus vulnerabilities.
Mark Torbert, director of child welfare and attendance, and other district staff updated the committee on safety measures the district is deploying after recent in-district incidents.
Torbert described a rapid grant application process and said the district will obtain what staff are calling "lockdown kits." "Frankly, it's like insurance. We hope we never have to use it," Torbert said. He described kit contents that include small water packets and equipment to meet student needs during extended lockdowns; the district is planning roughly 1,200 kits distributed across campuses based on floor maps and estimated lockdown population sizes.
Torbert and other staff also described expanded daily use of metal detectors—an "open-gate" system obtained through grant funding that aims to speed entry without requiring students to remove bags—and work to harden entry points with ballistic film and vestibule concepts. Staff said ballistic film is a clear window film intended to reduce penetration and limit forced entry; they noted thicker products increase resistance but nothing is fully bulletproof without very thick glazing.
Board members raised logistics questions about detector lines at campuses with multiple entry points (for example, South Terrebonne and Elander) and discussed perimeter fencing and gates to funnel students to controlled entrances. A board member recommended a security specialist on staff to evaluate vulnerabilities and report directly to the superintendent. Vice chairman Debbie Benoit recommended creating a position to conduct campus security assessments and coordinate with SROs and local law enforcement; staff said such a job description and budget request would be drafted for future budget cycles.
District staff said the Louisiana Safe Schools office and state police conducted formal building security assessments at campuses receiving grant funds and that many fixes are low-cost (for example, locking doors). Large-scale retrofits such as vestibules would require budgeting and architectural work.
The update was informational; no formal policy or budget vote occurred during the committee meeting.
