Nekoosa board approves review of unannounced emergency drills; security upgrades noted

Board members reviewed the district’s annual unannounced emergency drills and approved the written review during the meeting, with no opposition recorded.

John Thomas (introduced during the meeting) and other staff summarized two unannounced drills conducted at district schools covering ALICE lockdown, evacuation and intruder-simulation procedures. The speakers said drills took between about five and twenty minutes depending on the building and that staff, guest teachers and the school resource officer (SRO) participated. "There were no issues that came up," the staff summary said, and staff confirmed that teachers and substitutes demonstrated knowledge of barricade and evacuation procedures.

The board heard that the district has upgraded notification features in some buildings (flashing lights tied to alerts) and installed a new camera/security system; staff said work continues on interior and exterior cameras across campuses and that the middle school and high school systems are largely in use. Officer Cole (SRO) and facilities staff continue to conduct interior and exterior door checks each summer.

Chair called for a motion to approve the review of emergency action drills. A board member moved the motion and a second was recorded; members were asked to vote and the motion carried by voice vote with 'aye' recorded and no opposition noted. The board signed the drill reports and acknowledged ongoing checks of doors and notification hardware.

The board also discussed that potential reworking of school entrances would be part of a future referendum process rather than immediate facility modifications.

The motion to approve the drill review was carried; staff will continue to monitor and report on security-system completion and drill outcomes at future meetings.