School security is topic at USD 398 board meeting years ago
By SUSAN MARSHALL
News editor
On the heels of three shootings recently at schools in Colorado, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin, Peabody-Burns board of education members reviewed policy and procedures at the Oct. 9 meeting.
Ken Parry, elementary school principal and leader of the district crisis team, informed the board an updated crisis management plan had been issued to building employees and an information letter had been sent home with USD #398 students to inform parents of crisis procedures.
Parry also indicated intruder alert drills were scheduled at both schools.
Superintendent Tom Alstrom asked board members to review security at both schools. During the discussion that followed, the board requested that Alstrom look into the cost of a lock-down solution at the grade school. The proposal should incorporate the installation of a buzzer system.
The board had already initiated a study of options for additional security at the junior/senior high school after a break-in last spring. Members requested the formation of a team to put together a more comprehensive security package for that building.
The additional information and costs will be presented at the next board meeting.
Another area of concern for the board was the state mandated decision to redraw the voting boundaries within the school district to bring USD #398 into compliance.
Alstrom presented three proposals to the board for its consideration. Following discussion, board members agreed to go to a six-member school board and requested Alstrom bring back additional information to accommodate that number of members.
They were interested in reviewing a board made up of members representing one city of Burns member district, three city of Peabody member districts, and two rural member districts, which would meet the new state requirements.
In other business the board:
— approved an emergency substitute certificate for Vaughn Miller and Arlen Buzenitz, offered supplemental contracts to: Eric Barnes, assistant high school girl's basketball coach; Lisa Hodges, winter cheerleading sponsor; Ann Leppke, junior high student council sponsor; Shawna McCartney, head junior high girl's basketball coach; Mario Nava, assistant junior high boy's basketball coach; Katie Phillips, assistant junior high girl's basketball coach; and Chris Young, assistant high school boy's basketball coach.
— heard a report from Raquel Riggs on the reading program at the junior and senior high school level.
— approved a transportation agreement for Head Start for the 2006-07 school year.
— heard a review by superintendent Alstrom and high school principal Mary Brown about current valedictorian and salutatorian requirements which will remain as stated in the current high school handbook. Tier 1 participation, class rank, and honors curricula will have bearing.
— heard from Alstrom about the age, condition, and mileage on the district's fleet of vehicles. The board requested additional information on the cost of a regular bus and a government suburban for presentation at a future meeting.
— heard that assemblies on bullying will be given at both schools.
— went into executive session for the purpose of discussing acquisition of real property. No action was taken on return to open session.
