Board approves non‑tactical and tactical portions of 2024–25 school safety plans

The San Mateo County Board of Education on March 19 approved both the non‑tactical and tactical portions of the 2024–25 Comprehensive School Safety Plans for San Mateo County Office of Education student programs.

Dr. Becky Stephan, Coordinator for School Safety and Student Supports, described countywide tools and supports, including the Doc Tracking System (DTS) portal for entering school safety information. "This stands for Doc Tracking System, the portal for entering school safety information using internal templates," Stephan said, explaining the platform the county uses to gather and organize school plans. Board Member Mike O’Neill pressed staff on tsunami risk and evacuation experiences at Cabrillo Elementary and Ingrid B. Lacy Middle School; Stephan said maps identifying schools in inundation zones have been created and staff are coordinating with the Department of Emergency Management so districts will receive training and site‑specific guidance.

Dr. Jesus Jimenez presented the non‑tactical portion for SMCOE student programs. When O’Neill asked whether annex doors have backup power, Jimenez confirmed generators are available and were used during a recent outage. After discussion, a motion by Board Member Beverly Gerard, seconded by Board Member Susan Alvaro, carried the non‑tactical portion by roll call vote (six in favor, one absent).

The Board moved into Closed Session to consider the tactical portion consistent with Education Code Section 32281(f) and Government Code Section 54957(a). On reconvening, Board President Hugo Torres reported the tactical portion was approved after a motion by Alvaro and a second by Gerard (vote six in favor, one absent). The action authorizes the Board’s student‑program plans to proceed with both non‑tactical and tactical components in place.