Look Who it Was Random video

How Safe Are Our Local Schools?

226 views · Published 21 November 2013 · 3:23 · Indexed 20 September 2026

Channel: Dayton 24/7 Now · 2013 · News & Politics

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UNDATED -- We are approaching the one year anniversary of a dark day in America when first graders, as innocent as you get, were massacred in their classroom.It had school leaders across the country re-thinking their security and response, so it made ABC22/Fox45 wonder.  How safe are our schools?    Reporter Jackie Couture joined school security teams and tested the schools.At an elementary school, a door was unlocked and Jackie was able to walk to the front office undetected.  A custodian unlocked the door for 20 minutes to bring in some products and forgot to lock it when finished.We have extensive security measures in place through the project, but they're only as good as the people inside, says Huber Heights Superintendent Susan Gunnell.In Kettering, the schools are locked down as of this week.  The district put together a safety committee after the Sandy Hook tragedy. It's made up of teachers, staff, parents and police.When you see something like that happen, everybody just thinks, you know, it can just happen anywhere.  So we're doing everything we can to keep our kids and staff safe while they're at school, states Ken Lackey, the Director of Business Services.In order to completely lock down, they had to remodel. It was easy to come into the front door and get access to the rest of the building, Lackey adds.Principal Kari Calborn says she's worked hard with her staff at Orchard Park Elementary.Calborn adds, being mentally prepared. Just thinking about all the what ifs, being able to reflect as a team, saying if this would happen, how are we to respond?  What are our responsibilities?  Centerville didn't want to participate, nor did Springfield, but both Superintendents say they audit their safety practices often.We don't need to create drama.  I can tell you by going to one computer that all our doors are locked, says Springfield City Schools Superintendent David Estrop.Estrop walked ABC22/Fox45 through the district's extensive surveillance system that helps keeps the kids safe.No matter the approach, it's clear safety in our schools is now a culture.

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