Superintendent to review security procedures
Aim is not to turn district into 'penal institution'
BY TALI ISRAELI
Staff Writer

In light of recent events involving violence in schools, administrators in the Marlboro K-8 district are planning to re-examine existing safety policies and procedures.

Marlboro Superintendent of Schools David Abbott has stated that his No. 1 goal for the 2006-07 school year is to ensure the safety of the schools and security of the student body, the staff and visitors. The superintendent's goals for the district were approved by the Board of Education at a meeting on Oct. 17.

According to his stated goals, Abbott said he will be taking several safety and security measures including re-evaluating the schools' visitation policies and procedures in order to limit visitor access.

However, Abbott said precautions would be taken without discouraging volunteerism, limiting parent involvement or making the district seem like a penal institution.

All school emergency and crisis management plans will be reviewed and updated if necessary.

Emergency preparedness guides for all staff members will be reconfigured and republished and will serve as the text for the reorientation of the entire staff in the district.

In addition to that, the district will increase the number of lockdowns and evacuation drills from one or two per school year to one per month. These drills are in addition to the two mandatory fire drills per month.

Administrators will also ensure that every school is able to be locked down every day, including all interior and exterior doors and windows.

According to Abbott's goals for the year, district administrators will consider assigning a single entry point for all attendees, staff and visitors and will monitor the district's Internet Web site and materials sent home with students on a daily basis.

In addition, the district is planning to train all staff members on how to act in a crisis situation and how to report any suspicious activity to the Marlboro Police Department or to the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office.

The district's Safe Schools Task Force will meet in November, February and May to review the progress being made in the continual pursuit of keeping Marlboro schools safe and secure for students and staff members, according to information provided by administrators.