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R-1 district extends safety measures into the classrooms
NEW MADRID, Mo. - The New Madrid County R-1 Board of Education continues to take steps to ensure the safety of the students and teachers.
During the July meeting, the Board received an assessment of the district’s safety and security protocols. Also the Board purchased additional security and safety equipment to be installed in every classroom across the District.
Regina Ferguson, a private consultant from North Kansas City, Mo., initially assisted the District in determining the upgrades funded through the Safe and Secure bond issue approved by voters in 2020. Recently the Board hired her to return to evaluate the work and conduct another safety audit.
“Our School Boards have always been really in tune with securing schools,” said Dr. Sam Duncan, superintendent. “As we continue to see school violence and the dangerous threats to lives, they wanted to make sure we had hit the mark so we reached back out to Regina Ferguson and asked her to do a full-blown assessment for all five campuses.”
According to Duncan, over three days Ferguson walked through every building, tested school protocols for allowing visitors into buildings, looked for fire hazards and toured recently completed improvements such as the enclosed walkways at the elementary schools and new fenced-in playgrounds.
Duncan said the District passed Ferguson’s safety audit. When any problems were discovered, Ferguson worked with the building principals to resolve them, he added.
However, with the recent school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, Duncan said he and the Board decided that despite the security steps taken, the teachers in the classrooms needed something more.
“We got a sense that teachers in classrooms are helpless,” said Duncan. “Number one, they need a reliable way to report and alert the school if something has occurred in the classroom that is threat and, two, they need items in the classroom that could be secured if something bad happens or to defend themselves.”
Following research by Director of School Safety and Security Anthony Roberts and in discussions with Ferguson, a presentation was made on the SafeDefend Personnel Protection System to the School Board. After the presentation, the Board approved the use money from the federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund to purchase the system.
Duncan explained the system will recognize a teacher’s thumbprint to activate the system to notify school authorities and law enforcement when a crisis occurs. Also it will provide access to a variety of items including gel pepper spray, a trauma kit and a flashlight.
“For us, we were looking for something that just made sense,” Duncan said. “It empowers classroom teachers. Now they have chance to turn the tide and they deserve that. Plus we live in an active seismic zone. This could help if we have a major disaster. We feel this gives us some new options if something bad is headed our way.”
According to Duncan installation of the system and training on the SafeDefend system will be this fall.
“We don’t want to think that anything bad is going to happen, but if it does we want to give our best shot to keep teachers and students safe,” Duncan added.
A construction update was presented to the Board.
Nearly all work funded through the Safe and Secure bond issue is complete. Duncan said the new concession stand/entrance at the high school football field is complete and the grass playing field is in good shape.
Dirt work has begun on the new multi-purpose building/FEMA shelter next to the Central Middle School. Panels used in the construction of the building are being completed off site and will be brought in this fall. According to Duncan the building could be ready for use in early 2023.
Other summer projects, primarily funded through grants and federal monies, are moving along as well, according to the superintendent.
“There are the same types of delays we have seen before but now we understand what those delays are going to be. That is the new normal in construction,” Duncan said.
Due to supply chain issues, there are some delays in installing air conditioning and completing the new ventilation system for the welding shop. Also because of supply issues, the canopy upgrades will not be completed until this fall.
The painting and replacement of tiles is complete at the Technical Skills Center. Also during the summer, the District added equipment to the elementary schools’ playgrounds.
“The improvements affect every building. Everybody will benefit from the projects. That is the way we like it,” Duncan added.
The District’s principals presented information to the Board on the updated attendance policy and handbooks.
One of the biggest changes involves attendance. Building principals and representatives from the New Madrid County Juvenile office worked together on the policy, according to Duncan.
Under the new policy if a student misses five days in a semester, parents will be contacted to determine the cause of the absence. After eight days, parents and the student will be asked to meet with the school counselors and principal and if needed, juvenile authorities will be alerted.
If there are 11 or more days a student is absent without a valid reason, the student will be placed on probation. Any absences beyond that without a valid reason will be turned over to the Juvenile Court System.
The updated policy will be part of the student handbook provided to parents at the August open houses. For parents unable to attend the open house at their student’s school they can contact the school principal to make an appointment to receive a copy.
In other action during the meeting:
• The Board adopted the Special Education Independent Educational Evaluation procedures.
• Phyllis Barks with MSBA spoke to the Board about MSIP 6 implications for Missouri School Boards. The District is working on its continuous school improvement plans by putting together data from a community meeting, spring surveys and parent focus group. The data will be used to develop goals for the District.
• Candace Riggs was employed as a teacher at New Madrid Elementary School.
• The Board reviewed the CD investments.
• A wellness stipend was approved for employees. Duncan said the stipend would
encourage mental and physical wellness.
• Approval was given to Policy IGBCA “Programs for Homeless Students” and Policy IGBA “Special Education”.
• The District has a new app which can be downloaded. The app enables school officials to communicate to users across multiple platforms, including by text message, Facebook and Instagram. Also it is linked to the District’s new website.