Volusia County Schools

Annual Safety and Security Report

School year 2011 - 2012

Greg Akin, Director

Lawrence P. Beal Jr., Specialist

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Overview

Background information

The Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability (OPPAGA) requirements and Findings

District Safety and Security Assessment Findings

Additional Safety and Security discussion items – Safety & Security Manual and Workbook (Revised)

– District Assessment Schedule

– Statewide Tornado Drill Findings

– Actual Safety and Security Events

Recommendations

Board Approval

Background Information

The 2001 Legislature created Section 1006.07, Florida Statutes (Safety and Security Best Practices).

The statute charges OPPAGA to develop The "Safety and Security Best Practices.“

The "Best Practices" are approved by the Commissioner of Education. They are reviewed annually by OPPAGA and the Partnership for School Safety and Security.

The Best Practices continue to be revised as deemed necessary.

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OPPAGA Requirements and Findings

Each school district is required to use the Safety and Security Best Practices to conduct a self-assessment of the school district's current safety and security practices.

Based on these self-assessment findings, the superintendent of each school district is to provide recommendations to the school board which identify strategies and activities that the school district should implement in order to improve school safety and security.

By July 1st of each year, the school board must receive the self-assessment results at a publicly noticed school board meeting to provide the public an opportunity to hear the school board members discuss and take action on the report findings.

The District is in full compliance with the State’s requirements regarding OPPAGA Safety & Security Best Practices for Florida’s schools.

Safety and Security Requirements

To meet the requirements outlined by OPPAGA; Volusia County Schools uses the safety and security certification process which serves as the basis of our security program.

This process currently requires schools to be in compliance with 62 identified standards broken down into eight sections in the areas of: – 100-Administrative Services – 200-Emergency Management – 300-Facilities – 400-Health Services – 500-Law Enforcement – 600-School Food Services – 700-Student Services – 800-Transportation Services

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Safety & Security Manual Revised

Each year our safety and security standards are reviewed and revised as necessary.

Several standards had language change within the standard

62 standards must be met this coming school year.

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Safety & Security Assessment Workbook

Assessment Workbook was revised to assess the sixty-two standards

Includes:

– Expectations for each standard.

– Identifies documentation required for each standard.

– Best Practices documents for school and department use

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District Safety & Security Assessment Findings

82 of the 84 schools/departments met the deadline for submission of the Law Enforcement and Fire Department walk through.

83 of the 84 schools/departments submitted their procedures manual to the district office by September 16, 2011.

80 of the 84 schools/departments submitted their assessment workbooks to the district office by September 16, 2011.

District Assessment Schedule for 2012-2013

The District Safety and Security Assessments

continue to serve as a major training exercise for all schools.

High Schools – 4 Middle Schools – 5 Charter Schools – 4

Placement Education – 1 Alternative Sites – 3

Elementary Schools – 14 K-8 School – 0 6-12 School - 1

Total of 32 Sites will receive a District Safety and Security Assessment this school year

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District-wide Tornado Drill Findings

February 1, 2012

Notification process worked really well this year, however, a couple of fax numbers and

email address to key School Board employees were incorrect.

Recommendation was made to modify the drill schedule next school year to accommodate the early school lunch schedule.

Actual Safety and Security Events

24 actual Security Incidents this year – 9 Code Red (intruder) Lockdown Incidents

– 1 Code Blue (bomb) Threat Incident

– 0 Code Green (severe weather)

– 9 Fire Alarms

– 4 suspicious packages

– 1 Code Yellow (Hazmat)

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Recommendation 2011 - 2012

A multi-discipline team was established to perform district safety and security assessments at selected schools.

All assigned safety and security school and department personnel attended one (1) of the five (5) Safety, Security and Shelter training sessions.

The Security Compliance Office did streamline the process and documents with staff assistance. A single signature page for the principals was developed and used.

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Recommendations 2012-2013

Again this year, a multi-discipline team will be established to perform district safety and security assessments at selected school.

For the 2012-2013 school year: it is recommended that all school and department personnel that are assigned safety and security duties be required to attend one (1) of the five (5) training sessions being held to receive their training.

For the 2012-2013 school year, the Safety Initiatives committee will continue to provide educational material and programs to all principals in an effort to continue promoting pedestrian safety.

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Safety & Security

In Summary……….