This article originally appeared on Tap into West Orange. To view the original article, click here.
WEST ORANGE, NJ – Over the past few years, the West Orange School District has been working diligently to improve safety and security measures at each school. School Safety Specialists Fil Santiago (Director of Technology and Administrative Services) and David Marion (Principal at Kelly Elementary School) currently serve in these State-mandated positions for the District. Santiago and Marion recently presented important updates to the Board of Education.
Full-Time Security Guards in All Buildings
Superintendent Hayden Moore determined it was imperative to hire full-time security guards for each district school. Betty Maddalena Early Learning Center, Roosevelt Middle School, Liberty Middle School, Edison Middle School and West Orange High School already have full-time unarmed guards. Each security guard was hired by the district and is considered a district employee. The high school also has a full-time West Orange Police Department sergeant, Sgt. Jeffrey James, on-site. This year, Washington, St. Cloud, Redwood, Mt. Pleasant, Gregory, Kelly and Hazel are welcoming their new employees for the first day of school. All guards are fully trained in district and New Jersey Law required protocols.
Raptor Technologies Visitor Management System
Each school is equipped with the Raptor Technologies Visitor Management System. This system requires visitors to provide photo IDs, a photo is taken for a visitor badge, and a background check from the National Sexual Offender Database is conducted.
Multi-layered Security Features
Several other safety and security features are already in place. The district has developed a robust communication infrastructure that encompasses telephone systems, parent notification vehicles, an online presence, student safety monitoring system, internal radios, silent alarms and a student information system that is hosted off premise. The district has made a conscious investment in outfitting all buildings with interior and exterior cameras that are directly connected to the West Orange Police Department via a private fiber network.
Training and Drills
School safety and security is an evolving process. As such, all staff members participate in annual and ongoing training to ensure that we are all well versed in the most up-to-date best practices and procedures to ensure the safety of district schools. All buildings conduct monthly fire and security drills to ensure that all staff and students are prepared in the event an emergency arises.
Behavioral Threat Assessment Management
Pursuant to new legislation N.J.S.A. 18A:17-43.4, each school in the district shall establish a threat assessment team composed of school teachers, administrators, and other school personnel. This team will assist in identifying students of concern, assessing those students’ risk of engaging in violence or other harmful activities, developing and delivering intervention strategies to manage the risk of harm for students. The district is working with the NJ Office of School Preparedness and Emergency Planning to ensure this initiative meets the statutes and regulations set forth in the legislation.
It should be noted that there are several additional procedures and protocols in place that cannot be discussed publicly for the safety and protection of students and staff.
View the entire presentation HERE.
