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RPS safety update: school support aides expanded, crisis-planning and mandated drills completed for start of year
Summary
Emergency management staff said newly funded school support aides (SSAs) are in place at elementary schools, the district completed required drills and is standardizing crisis plans; principals received one-on-one visits and the district rolled out the Standard Response Protocol posters for classrooms.
Emergency management and safety staff reported on systemwide safety work at the Oct. 6 work session, highlighting newly funded school support aide positions, completion of required drills and an effort to standardize school crisis plans across the division.
Dana Chambliss, the district’s emergency manager, told trustees she had met one-on-one with principals to review crisis plans and to inventory building needs. Chambliss said the division deployed additional school support aides (SSAs) at several elementary schools after a budget addition last year and that principals have reported the new positions have been well received. She also said the district has implemented Standard Response Protocol materials in classrooms and is tracking required fire and lockdown drills through an emergency-management platform (Raptor) to ensure compliance.
Staff reported that by the statutory deadlines schools had completed the fall round of required drills. Trustees asked about lead time given to faculty before drills; staff said principals received plans and schedules over the summer and that the division issued guidance and checklists so schools could plan instruction around mandated drills. The emergency manager said the district is following national and state guidance for larger drills such as earthquake and tornado exercises and is aligning to national “shakeout” dates where appropriate.
Trustees thanked the safety and facilities teams and asked for continued updates on staffing, building needs and coordination with local law enforcement for large events. Speakers mentioned the Raptor alert system and collaborations with community partners for event parking and logistics.
Speakers included Dana Chambliss (emergency manager), Beasley (operations/facilities), Mrs. Parks (wellness) and trustee speakers who praised the staff.
