Safety and technology committees outline security upgrades, training and tech costs

Division staff presented a safety and security update May 19 that outlined emergency drill data, visitor-screening upgrades and a multi-year training and audit plan. The presenter said the division is piloting Event Safe within its Raptor visitor-management platform and Raptor Passport, which allows community members to pre-register identification to streamline entry at school events. Staff said weapons detectors are installed in all buildings, quarterly and biannual trainings for safety stakeholders will begin, and annual safety audits will be conducted on one-third of buildings each year as required by Virginia Code.

The Technology Advisory Committee chair reported on the district’s technology footprint and costs, citing the FY25 audit figure of roughly $13 million in definable hard costs. The chair noted "soft costs" — staffing, user groups and maintenance — likely add substantially and said the committee will study continuity planning (DRP/business continuation), cybersecurity, AI readiness and technology staffing levels. The committee seeks broader district representation and will provide advisory review of instructional and administrative technology investments.

Both presentations emphasized coordination (safety, IT and planning staff) and future reporting to the board; there were no votes on these items. Board members thanked staff for the work and asked that the committees continue to update the board as plans and procurements proceed.