What should our school district be doing to ensure the safety of students and staff?

Out-of-Township (Vote for 1)

Justin Lamb: The Mahomet Police Department and Cornbelt Fire Department provide outstanding assistance in the districts training and drills.  Having a SRO in our schools is huge plus.

Patrick MacKay: As parents we trust our schools to provide a safe and secure environment for learning and enrichment.  When I was a student, before the turn of the century, the standard procedure for discipline was detention, suspension, and expulsion.  Everything was black and white with little regard to extenuating circumstances, or, for example, how punishment could stunt and seriously inhibit development.  The idea of incorporating social emotional learning was not on the cards.

As such, I am encouraged that our district is leading with an approach that is grounded in social and emotional learning, one that is student-centered, and in the high school incorporates restorative practices.  Finally, I look forward to the district’s continued engagement with Professor Kevin Tan and the University of Illinois School of Social Work.

In-Township (Vote for 2)

Sunny McMurry: Unfortunately we do live in a time when school safety needs to be considered carefully. Our district has made great strides this year with the addition of separate entry ways for school visitors. Many people may not realize this, considering school visitors have been limited because of the pandemic. However, diverting visitors away from easily accessing our children and teachers in the schools is a great step toward the physical safety within our schools. 

When it comes to cyber-safety, this issue now seems even more important than ever. With our kids spending even more time online because of remote schooling options, I would like to see conversations about internet safety and cyber-bullying happening more frequently. This is easily incorporated through many Social-Emotional Learning curriculums. These conversations need to start early and happen often. 

Laura Lang: The topic of student and staff safety is multi-faceted. To address the issue there ought to be more information, birds eye view of what the district is currently doing, current vulnerabilities, and resources available. However, the district can begin by giving our staff and even parents training and resources they need. An important component is student to staff ratio, so that proper is proper oversight of students. Our district has been fortunate to have a resource officer in a couple buildings, which has allowed my children personally to feel at ease with and have a respect for law enforcement officers.

While we think about in-building safety, it’s important to also consider safety on the way to and from school. Are our students able to walk or bike to school in safe traffic situations with cleared and available walkways? Are drop-off and pick-up zones efficient and safe? This larger topic belongs to the administration to keep current with and to remain open to community input.

Max McComb: Our students and staff are safest when we, as the top leaders of the school district, support, model and create environments where respect, civility and kindness are the norm.  Over the past years that I have been on the board, our district has developed a comprehensive confidential Crisis Plan.  The bullying reporting form online. Polices to prevent/address bullying and harassment.  Targeted specific education at all grade levels about safety and bullying. We have worked on restorative practices at all levels. Encouraged healthy relationships, reporting online or in school bullying and follow up by administrators on all complaints. We have cyber security software for all student devices. In recent years we have added buzz in systems in all buildings along with visitor ID and screening. Each year we update, enhance, and expand video surveillance systems. In 2018 we added our School Resource officer which has been extremely beneficial. We continue to identify and implement ways to keep each campus and each student and staff member safe.

Rebecca Richardson:

• If it isn’t already in place, assign a person or persons to be responsible for making sure all state, local and national safety codes are being met.
• Follow expert advice and make data-driven decisions 
• Ongoing training for teachers, staff, administration and board members as new potential safety threats arise