District presents annual safety‑drill report; St. Olaf agreed as reunification site

Superintendent Matthew Hillman and Buildings and Grounds Director Justin Robeli presented the district’s annual safety‑drill report, describing required exercises, prevention work and a new reunification arrangement with St. Olaf College.

Hillman told the board the district complies with state drill requirements — five lockdowns, five fire drills and one tornado drill — and is updating language and procedures to align with the I Love You Guys Foundation model. He described investments that improve staff response, including lockable classroom doors and multiple ways to initiate a building lockdown.

Nut graf: the report emphasized prevention and relationships as the core protective strategy, while also describing technical and procedural measures — drills, communication systems, an anonymous tip line and a standardized threat‑investigation process — the district uses to detect and respond to safety concerns.

Key changes and partnerships Hillman said the district revised evacuation, relocation and reunification maps and that St. Olaf College has agreed to serve as the district’s final reunification site. Robeli and Hillman described tabletop planning and regional drills with partners rather than requiring each school to conduct a full reunification exercise on its own. The district uses email and an emergency communications app (ScribeGo) to alert staff and has a multi‑tiered approach to identifying students needing supports.

Threat investigation and mental‑health considerations The district described a standardized investigation process it follows for threats: interviews, locker and vehicle searches when appropriate, use of video footage and routine law‑enforcement home visits in cases involving potentially accessible weapons. Hillman also acknowledged that active‑shooter drills and other exercises can affect student and staff wellbeing and said administrators provide follow‑up and counseling options after drills.

Statutory reference and reporting Hillman said the report is provided to the public as required by Minnesota statute 121A.037. He added the district is shifting training delivery after changes in federal funding reduced the availability of a previously funded youth mental‑health first‑aid partner; the district will pursue alternative staff‑and‑student training at lower cost.

Ending: Board members asked about whether drills are preannounced (staff are notified; parents receive notice when active‑shooter/lockdown drills are planned and may opt students out), how reunification logistics will be practiced regionally, and how the district balances preparedness with mental‑health supports for students and staff.