Davis 2x2 committee discusses door-locking, fencing and incident logging after Picnic Day shooting

The City of Davis and Davis Joint Unified School District (DJUSD) 2x2 committee met Wednesday to discuss school safety measures, including a coordinated incident log, strategic perimeter fencing contracts and the district’s door-locking policy after a shooting near Community Park on Picnic Day earlier this year.

Superintendent Best said the district will create a single, coordinated incident log so school records align with police records: “So just trying to get coordinated, and make sure that we have a clear and consistent and calibrated approach to gathering the information about the things that are happening around our campuses related to safety.”

The discussion matters to parents and staff because it shapes how schools respond to events on and near campuses. The committee reviewed recent staff survey results and community feedback that have split opinion on permanent door locks and fencing.

Officials described the difference between a shelter-in-place and a lockdown. Superintendent Best said shelter-in-place is common and often used for medical emergencies or nearby police activity, while a lockdown is used when there is a direct threat to campus and is “far, far more infrequent.” The district plans four fencing contracts coming to the school board June 5, with work expected soon afterwards at North Davis, Willard, Pioneer and Montgomery schools to better control perimeter access.

Committee members said staff surveys show a majority of staff prefer not to have doors permanently locked because of frequent classroom traffic and concerns about impacts on students with disabilities. Trustee Moon and other board members emphasized considering each school’s site safety plan individually rather than a single, districtwide change.

Parents who spoke during public comment pressed for faster changes. Jamie (parent) said her survey of about 95 parents found the “vast majority of parents support updated school safety measures,” and urged the district to align with federal recommendations. Jessica Huemer (parent of a North Davis Elementary second-grader) said her family moved to Davis because they believed it was safe and described repeated campus incidents, including bomb threats and objects thrown through classroom windows.

City staff said the Davis Police Department is continuing the Picnic Day investigation and that city staff and campus officials are meeting on a subcommittee to review permitting, messaging and other changes to how Picnic Day functions to reduce risks. The city noted it may change how parks and open spaces are used on future Picnic Days to limit large unsanctioned gatherings.

Committee members also discussed strategic fencing as part of a multi-year approach that includes enhanced campus supervision, threat assessment and mental-health supports. Board members and staff said fencing is intended to limit access from adjacent public areas—examples cited include library parking lots and adjacent bike paths.

The committee did not take a formal vote on changing door-locking policy at this meeting. Members said previous board deliberations included three meetings that resulted in keeping the current policy but that additional coordination on incident logging and site-specific safety plans would continue.

The committee moved toward better data collection and clarified next steps: finalizing the coordinated incident log, continuing work on the scheduled fencing projects, and keeping conversations with police and campus partners about Picnic Day planning.

The committee approved routine meeting minutes earlier in the session; no other formal safety motions were brought forward during this discussion.