Please review some of the ways that the Wilson School District is working to ensure the safety and security of our students and staff on our campuses during and after the academic day. Safety is a priority for everyone involved with the Wilson School District, and our administrative team, with the support of our board of directors, is continuously working to improve our protocols and refine our practices. To that end, there are a few specifics that we would like to share with our community.
Standard Response Protocol
At the beginning of the 2023-24 school year, the district began implementing a system that provided more consistent language for our response to emergency situations called the Standard Response Protocol, or SRP. This system designates five specific actions implemented when different types of emergencies occur. Hold, Secure, Lockdown, Evacuate, and Shelter are the terms that are used to cue responses in our buildings for a variety of different types of situations. Students and staff are trained on how to respond when they hear each of these actions initiated by a staff member or over the public address system in the school. During the school year, we use these protocols and this common language when we engage in emergency drills at each of our buildings. For more information on the Standard Response Protocol, please refer to the attached document in English and Spanish.
Video Camera/Surveillance Upgrades
Another project initiated during the 2023-24 school year and continuing through the end of this month is the complete upgrade and replacement of our district-wide video surveillance system, including all cameras and supporting software. The new system provides higher quality video, enhanced ability to zoom in and manipulate camera angles, and the ability to utilize software to more quickly and efficiently identify individuals and their location in our buildings. In addition, camera feeds are accessible 24/7 by key team members via mobile devices and can be shared instantly with law enforcement personnel if necessary.
Behavioral Threat Assessment Teams
During the 2023-24 school year, each school identified a team of individuals consisting of administrators, teachers, specialists, and law enforcement officers to be trained in Comprehensive School Threat Assessment Guidelines (CSTAG), a nationally recognized protocol for identifying and mitigating potential threats in a school environment before they can be carried out. Our teams are utilizing this protocol to investigate any behavioral threats reported to the building and determine if a threat is substantial, requiring immediate intervention, or if other means are necessary to address the area of need. Information about the CSTAG model is available at www.schoolta.com.
School Resource Officers
Finally, the Wilson School District has continued to partner with local municipalities to provide uniformed police officers on our school campuses to serve as School Resource Officers (SROs). We currently staff three full-time SROs through agreements with the Township of Spring Police Department and the Lower Heidelberg Township Police Department. The officers have offices in each of our secondary buildings and rotate out to cover all five elementary buildings across the district based on their municipalities.
Safety and Security are key strategic focus areas for our district, and our commitment to ongoing evaluation and improvement of our protocols remains steadfast. Thank you for your support and partnership in creating a secure and enriching learning space for students, staff, and the community.