18: School Safety and Security
Safety is our first priority. Schools use a variety of security measures, from locked doors to visitor check-ins, to ensure students learn in a safe environment. We regularly practice fire, shelter, and lockdown drills so everyone knows what to do. Families play a key role in keeping contact information up to date and in supporting safe practices at home and at school.
Key Points:
- Building Security: All exterior doors are locked during the day; visitors must check in at the office and wear a badge.
- Surveillance: Public areas of schools and buses may be monitored by cameras.
- School Resource Officers: Assigned to schools in partnership with local police.
- Safety Drills: Required drills include fire, tornado/severe weather, lockdown, and bus evacuation.
- Behavioral Threat Assessment: Teams evaluate and respond to concerning behaviors or threats.
- Environmental Safety: Annual asbestos and pesticide notices are provided as required by law.
- Health & Emergency Readiness: AEDs are available in schools; CPR training is required by state law.
Policy / Legal Requirements
- Board Policy 4:170 (Safety) requires comprehensive safety procedures.
- Drills mandated by the School Safety Drill Act (105 ILCS 128/).
- Board Policy 4:160 (Environmental Quality of Buildings and Grounds) covers asbestos and pesticide notices.
- Annual notification of the Sex Offender Registry and Violent Offender Against Youth Registry is required by Board Policy 4:175.
- Staff are mandated reporters under the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act (325 ILCS 5/).
References
- Board Policy 4:170 – Safety
- Board Policy 4:160 – Environmental Quality of Buildings and Grounds
- Board Policy 4:175 – Convicted Child Sex Offender; Notification Laws
- Illinois School Safety Drill Act, 105 ILCS 128/
- Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act, 325 ILCS 5/