Committee reviews school safety equipment and ongoing staff training; administration says radios and training are available

Committee members raised questions about school safety equipment and staff training plans for the coming year. A member asked whether climate-and-culture staff carry radios and whether radios are available when students are outdoors at recess.

"Through the chair, radios are available. We have plenty of radios for schools, climate and culture, assistant principals, office, nurses," Dr. Morse told the committee, adding that additional radios can be procured and the district maintains a battery-supply process. Morse said two sessions of the Standard Response Protocol, facilitated by the I Love You Guys Foundation, were held that day and more are scheduled in August, with trainings covering facilities, custodial and clerical staff and future sessions for nutrition and transportation personnel.

Members also asked about bus-monitoring and camera systems. Administration said all district buses have cameras installed and that the district is working separately with the Worcester Police Department on "stop arm" camera solutions under a different contract at no cost to the district.

Committee members asked for continued assurance that radios and other safety equipment are working and noted that schools with weaker PTO fundraising may need district support to restock library and crossing-guard supplies. Administration agreed to provide follow-up as needed and confirmed that schools control radio distribution at the building level but may request equipment from central office.