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Perkiomen Valley board hears annual safe‑schools report detailing AEDs, cameras and access upgrades
Summary
Chief Dean Miller presented the district—s 2024–25 annual safe schools report, outlining required Act 55 trainings, new automated external defibrillators (AEDs), upgraded locks and cameras, radiological planning tied to Limerick Generating Station, and plans to add bollards (some removable) at campuses.
Chief Dean Miller, the district—s chief leading the safety presentation, told the Perkiomen Valley School District board on Monday that the district is submitting its annual safe schools report to the Pennsylvania Department of Education and outlining this year—s safety work and next steps.
"To be legally compliant, we have to make this report each year to the school board," Miller said, summarizing the report—s purpose and the statutory requirements behind it. He said the report covers training, emergency response, threat assessment and recommendations for future improvements.
The report said the district completed a number of physical and procedural upgrades during the 2024–25 school year: AEDs have been added so no person is more than a brisk three‑minute walk from a unit; cardiac emergency response teams were established; locking systems were updated and two sets of doors at one elementary will be replaced over the summer; additional cameras and improved exterior lighting were installed; and a contact window was added at the high school. Miller also said the district—s fire alarm panels are scheduled to be replaced this summer.
Miller said the district follows protocols from the I Love You Guys Foundation and files emergency plans with the Montgomery County Department of Emergency Management. He also noted that the district maintains a radiological emergency response plan tied to the Limerick Generating Station and coordinates siren testing and planning with the county and municipal partners.
Board members asked about perimeter hardening. "The bollards are being planned to go in," one board member said during the meeting; Miller replied the district is evaluating both removable and fixed bollard styles and already has some removable units in place. He said the district would follow recommendations from assessments and coordinate with local responders and the district—s school police officers when determining locations and styles.
Miller credited district staff, including facilities colleagues, and local public safety partners for training opportunities and building tours that familiarize first responders with district properties. He invited board members and the public to attend future policy meetings for more detail on recommended policy updates from the Pennsylvania School Boards Association.
The presentation was delivered after an executive session on safety; Miller said the board would forward the required report to the Department of Education the following morning.
