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RSU 23 outlines new safety measures, schedules active-shooter training for staff
Summary
Superintendent John Suttie told the RSU 23 board that the district will require two hours of active-shooter training for all staff, has installed a new high school security camera system and will roll out ID badges and controlled front-door entry at JES and LMS.
Superintendent John Suttie told the RSU 23 school board on March 15 that the district will expand school safety measures ahead of the April budget presentation, including mandatory active-shooter training for staff and new access controls.
"Every staff member is getting 2 hours of active shooter training," Suttie said, and he described a recently installed security-video system at the high school that the district plans to replicate at Loranger Middle School (LMS) and Jordan Elementary School (JES). He said the district has purchased an ID badge system so new employees can receive badges immediately upon hire rather than waiting until October.
Suttie said the district will replace front doors at JES and LMS to create a single badge-entry doorway at each school and that Officer Ramsey will serve as the district's school resource officer. "We are proud to have him on board," the superintendent said, noting Ramsey has already addressed several incidents since assuming the role.
The changes are timed as the district finalizes its budget schedule: Suttie said the public budget presentation is set for Tuesday, April 10, and the regular April board meeting was moved to April 26. The superintendent also noted that the last scheduled day of school is currently June 18 if there are no additional snow days; district staff will consider options to preserve that date if possible.
Board members heard the overview but did not take a formal vote on the safety items at the March 15 meeting. The next steps are equipment installation at the remaining schools, staff training scheduling and implementation of badge access controls.
