Committee previews enhanced safety audits, visitor management and explores cell‑tower revenue

Mr. Thurgood (first referenced in the safety and security presentation) outlined creation of an enhanced school safety audit committee derived from Virginia Code that will include public safety partners (the sheriff’s office and fire/rescue), teacher, parent and student representation, and audits of each school on a three‑year cycle. "This will result in each school receiving an audit every three years," he said, adding the audit team will be made up of personnel who work within the schools and that results will be presented to the full committee each summer.

On event safety, staff highlighted continued use of the Clear Bags expectation for graduations and other large gatherings and introduced "Event Safe," a visitor‑management effort that will let visitors self‑process sign‑ins via iPads or a Raptor passport app and QR codes to speed entry during midday or large events. Staff said enforcement will retain discretion for case‑by‑case exceptions, such as professional camera crews at graduation.

Separately, staff reported being approached by an organization that installs cell towers on public properties and said the division is exploring potential revenue from cell‑tower leases while remaining sensitive to county preservation concerns (for example, battlefield preservation). Staff said they will invite an expert to a future committee meeting and coordinate with county officials and public relations to notify the public when that expert appears.

No formal policy or contract on cell towers was adopted at the May 4 meeting; committee members asked for a deeper presentation and public notification for that future discussion.