Franklin schools outline emergency-drill schedule; first lockdown due before Sept. 29

The director of operations, who said he serves as the division’s emergency manager, told the school board that the district’s crisis-management plans have been updated with Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) templates and are available in BoardDocs. He described the plans as ‘‘living documents’’ and said staff will be available in closed session to discuss sensitive particulars.

The director reviewed the district’s required drill schedule: fire drills will be conducted weekly through September, then monthly thereafter; lockdown drills are required once within the first 20 instructional days and again after the 60th instructional day (staff said the first lockdown will occur before Sept. 29 and the second after Dec. 7); the earthquake drill is scheduled for Oct. 15; the tornado drill follows the state tornado drill (generally March or April). He also noted that two bus evacuation drills are required—one within the first 30 instructional days and another in the second semester.

The director emphasized that families must be notified at least 24 hours in advance of lockdown drills and that building administrators have been briefed on how to comply. He said minor updates were made to last year’s plans and that the documents allow staff to record changes when they are made.