R-5 schools evaluate security in wake of terrorism abroad

By Ralph Pokorny

Nevada Herald

Five years ago when the Nevada R-5 School District was remodelling the Nevada High School, few people had heard of al Qaida, 911 was the number you called if you needed emergency help and there was no Department of Homeland Security sending security advisories to American schools.

Such advisories have recently been issued to schools in the U.S., following a deadly attack on a Russian school that killed more than 300 people, many of them students, in September. An Associated Press report revealed Wednesday that the Education Department sent an advisory letter by e-mail Wednesday to school police, state school officers, school boards, groups representing principals and many other organizations.

The Homeland Security Department also sent a bulletin to federal, state and local emergency officials to provide fresh guidance based on the review of the school siege in Russia. Advisories urge schools to take measures such as limiting avenues access a possible intruder might use to get into the schools and other measures like watching for specific suspicious activity -- many of which Nevada schools have already worked to implement.

In 1999, with the shootings at Columbine High School, fresh in their minds, the R-5 School Board took security into consideration when they remodeled the High School and tightened access at the other schools.

"We have tried to reduce openess without making the schools inaccessable," Dr. Ted Davis, Nevada R-5 superintendant of schools, said.

Anyone visiting one of the Nevada schools in recent years becomes aware of this immediately, when they are reminded by a sign on the door to check in at the office and get a visitor's pass.

Benton School even has a door bell that rings when someone enters the building to alert the office staff, Davis said.

At the High School, which has 18 exterior doors, only three of them are unlocked and they are in busy areas of the building. The other doors, although locked, can be easily opened from inside the building in case of fire or other emergency.

Davis said that they also use video cameras to monitor the hallways.

In addition to increasing the physical security of the district's buldings, the school has developed a security plan for each building outlining procedures to follow in different circumstances.

One such drill took place two years ago, involving a disaster cenario in which Nevada High School was struck by an imaginary tornado during Vernon County's annual emergency preparedness drill.

This drill gave them an opportunity to test parts of their plan.

They also regularly hold drills to educate the students and staff on what to do during fires and other potential emergencies.

Davis credits much of their preparedness to the efforts of Pat McCarty, the school resource officer, who provides a liason between the school district and the police department.

"Officer McCarty is a big help. He is constantly looking at security for weak places," Davis said.

McCarty also played a key role in developing the districts emergency plans.

"We learn something everyday. Our awareness is 100 percent more than 10 years ago. We think we've made a strong effort to make a safe building for our students," Davis said.