BCSD reviews school safety

BONNERS FERRY — After last month’s tragic school shooting, in Newton, Conn., schools across the nation are looking at ways to make their schools safer, including Boundary County.

“It breaks my heart to talk about it,” said Supt. Richard Conley at the Jan. 15 school board meeting. “We are addressing things we have never had to confront before.”

The school district has one full-time school resource officer who provides additional supervision, security at games, handles violations, and provides students with the opportunity to talk with a law enforcement officer.

Lock all doors except the main entrance. That will eliminate some concerns.”

In addition to locking all outside doors, Murray recommended all staff and volunteers wear their identification badges. This easily allows staff to recognize visitors.

Administrators believed the next most important safety measures were locks on the inside of doors and cameras.

There are numerous doors throughout the district that can only be locked from the hallway and not from inside the classroom. These doors are a concern for administrators as they cannot be quickly and quietly locked.

Security cameras at all the schools are also high on the list. Both Bonners Ferry High School and Boundary County Middle School have security cameras installed.

“Cameras and locks on the doors are definite,” said board chairman Melanie Staples. “We need to protect our kids.”

Staples mentioned they can use money from the district’s emergency fund to pay for the immediate safety measures.

Other concerns include the breezeways at Valley View Elementary, Naples Elementary, the middle school and the high school.

Valley View Elementary Principal Gary Pflueger believes closing in the breezeways would create more hidden spots at his school. He says the building would have better security by installing a more complete fencing system.

Naples Elementary Principal Jim Nash is considering enclosing the breezeway between the two buildings.

“The number one thing is keeping enough people on site,” said Nash. “And familiarizing staff with procedures.”

All students and staff practice lockdown procedures several times a year in addition to the monthly fire drills. Just as fire drills prepare students for a potential fire, lockdowns prepare them for a potential intruder in the school.

Conley said district officials will work with Murray and security experts to determine ways to make all the schools safer.