Area schools evaluating safety, security procedures

Parents and community members once walked right through the doors of the Warner School and strolled right on in.

  "In a larger school system like Aberdeen, it's expected that there are certain protocols for staff, parents and community members to abide by," said Superintendent Kirk Easton. "In a smaller community, the feeling is that everyone knows everyone else and that you should be able to walk in whenever you want."

 He said it's taken time to change that perception and to get safety procedures introduced.

 The recent shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., have affected school safety discussions at schools throughout the region. Area schools are examining their policies, making changes in some cases and looking into safety improvements.

 "Unfortunately, because of an incident like Newtown, it forces everyone to take another look at their crisis and emergency plans to see what we can do better or do differently," Easton said.

 Todd Neuendorf, Roncalli Elementary School administrator, said the fear of such an incident is ubiquitous.

 "It's so devastating when it's a school, but it could happen anywhere, anytime," he said. "That's why, at the school, we are prepared."

 Safety has become an even greater priority for the Aberdeen Public School District than it was three months ago, said Superintendent Gary Harms.

 Harms said the events in Newtown struck people because it involved young students. He said elementary students are aware of the seriousness of what goes on in the world.

 "You don't want to frighten them, but you want to make them aware of what needs to be done," he said.

 Neuendorf said he relies on adults in the building to effectively handle situations.

 "Crisis practice is too much for little kids, and students at this age know to listen to their teacher," he said.

 Shawn Yates, head administrator at the Aberdeen Christian School, said teachers were able to talk to students because of small class sizes and have meaningful discussions about the tragedy.

 "We can also come at it from a Christian perspective," he said. "We were able to pray in the chapel, too."

 At a capital outlay meeting Monday, Aberdeen Public School Board member Brad Olson brought up the issue of school safety and whether future plans would include a separate section for spending on safety next to building improvements.

 That's a possibility, Harms said. Those costs are currently absorbed through other line items in the budget, he said.

 As for Olson's query Monday, district operations manager Bob Pitz said the district needs are still being determined.

 "There are a number of things to do before procedures are standardized," Harms said. "We're trying not to get the cart before the horse."

 Harms said implementing new procedures or planning for safety expenditures would require gathering more information.

 In March, a vulnerability assessment will be completed at each school by someone from the South Dakota Office of Homeland Security. Pitz and the school principals will also be involved.