Safety and Security Presentation Updates Parents, Board of Ed

Superintendent Dr. Nathan Parker and Assistant Superintendent of Business Louis Pepe made the first of five presentations Thursday night to the Board of Education scheduled by the Communications Committee in response to the parent survey of April 2013.

Parker and Pepe discussed school safety and security throughout the Summit district. (The Powerpoint presentation can be viewed here.)

Calling the safety and security of the district's students his most important job, Parker presented the information by breaking it down into three sections: Plans & Procedures, Facility Measures and Training & Review, followed by a question-and-answer period.

In addition to an ongoing review of procedures both annually and as needed, Parker said lockdown procedures and protocols were updated across the district in 2012-13.

A new phone system with notification capability allows a lockdown to be initiated from any phone. Police presence in and around school buildings has been increased and officers on patrol have been given electronic access to the building, which Parker said "adds a level of security and quickness to response time" in case of an emergency. Custodians are also making routine security checks of the schools' perimeter throughout the day, which can also be beneficial in regard to playground safety, he noted.

Parker thanked parents for their cooperation regarding the district's newly-implemented drop-in policy, which asks parents to provide a day's notice if they will be coming in to meet with a teacher or if they are picking up their child for an appointment. He said in the cases of emergency, such as a need for medication, the district asks that parents call before arriving at their child's school. He said school principals have said this new policy has greatly reduced the number of unexpected visitors throughout the school day. 

Parker also advised parents to put the phone number for the Summit Police Department, 908-273-0051, in their cell phones as he said that is much faster than trying to get information by calling 911 in an emergency. He and Pepe added that students are also repeatedly advised, "if you see something, say something," as a means of encouraging community policing.

By working closely with police, Parker said they have been able to make adjustments to plans for the new additions at Franklin and Jefferson to make the buildings "as safe as possible." Additionally, vestibules will be built at the buildings that currently don't have them. 

During the question and answer period, a mom said even with all of these procedures in place, she is concerned that during events that occur at school in the evening, such as a Board of Ed meeting, doors are left wide open. What is to stop someone coming into the school and hiding their overnight, she asked. 

Parker and Pepe said custodians do a sweep of the entire building following events such as those. Parker added that he, Pepe, and Dr. Cheryl Moretz, principal of Brayton Elementary School, met with the Union County Elections Board about eliminating voting taking place in schools. While everyone is "on board" with the idea, Parker said it will not happen in time for the November election as other locations need to be identified first that allow for things like handicapped accessibility.

One mom asked if the district would consider closing the schools for Election Day and adding a day on in June. Parker and Pepe said that hadn't been considered and could be discussed. Parker said he did learn that the district has the authority to ask anyone to leave the grounds following voting if they are deemed to pose a risk to students. 

To learn more, view Powerpoint presentation here.