Following a state-mandated survey in December 2014, the Bellevue School District is implementing new measures to strengthen school security.
Beginning next school year, BSD will expand active shooter training with the Bellevue Police — previously available in a smaller capacity — to all staff, as well as instructional security videos for students, targeted to different age groups. The district also will update its security plans and has created a new security director position to oversee school measures.
“We currently have safety plans in place in every school, but I also want to make sure students and staff get training they need,” said Deputy Superintendent of Finance and Operations Melissa deVita. “Our goal is to make staff members and students feel safe at school and create an atmosphere that allows them to focus on learning.”
Legislation signed into law by Governor Jay Inslee in May 2013 required all Washington school districts to develop an emergency response system with local law enforcement, consider various security features and submit a progress report by December 1, 2014. Grant funding became available in March 2014.
The 22-question survey asked about the district’s existing plans with law enforcement, security camera usage, lockdown features, mass notification plans and what assistance was needed.
The Bellevue School District currently has plans in place with law enforcement and 911 dispatchers, including mass notification systems for parents, families and news media, in addition to many pieces of security technology included in the survey.
Some schools within the district do not include the full range of electronic controls and lockdown features included in the survey because of the age of the buildings. However, all of the Bellevue schools will be remodeled with improved security measures within the next five years, deVita said.
The district will reassess its security measures in the coming year with input from the new security director, which will set the stage for what security measures will be built into remodeled schools.
Which security updates are added during school remodels will be decided based on the district’s strategy for security, deVita said. However, the schools will not necessarily have all of the security features mentioned in the state survey, which include electronic door controls, exterior and interior surveillance cameras and electronic visitor management systems.
Bill 5197 included $10 million in grants for school districts that did not have the funds for updated security measures.
Districts statewide, including Seattle’s, claimed $6.3 million of the $10 million offered in grants, according to Scott Black, program development manager for the Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction. In comparison, Lake Washington, Renton and Issaquah school districts did not apply for or receive 5197 funding.
The Bellevue School District did not apply for or receive any 5197 funding because of the district’s pre-existing plans for remodeling, said deVita. Funding will not factor into the future security plans, she added.
“It really depends on how well these items fit into the strategy or vision we put in place,” said deVita. “That being said, I can say that security is a key factor we consider as schools are being redesigned and rebuilt.”
