Kansas Safe and Secure Schools

Mission:

To assist school districts by helping them build solid foundations of
readiness, security and resiliency.

Safe and Secure School Standards

Senate Bill 109 Sec. 76 Safe and Secure School Standards stipulates the standards as outlined in the law passed on May 31, 2018.

(d) During the fiscal year ending June 30, 2019, in addition to the other purposes for which expenditures may be made by the above agency from monies appropriated from the state general fund or from any special revenue fund or funds for fiscal year 2019 for such agency as authorized by chapter 95 or 104 of the 2017 Session Laws of Kansas, this or other appropriation act of the 2018 regular session of the legislature, expenditures shall be made by the above agency from such moneys for the State Board of Education to develop and adopt statewide standards for making all public schools and attendance centers operated by school districts in this state safe and secure: Provided, That in developing such standards, the State Board of Education:

1. Shall consult with the office of the adjutant general, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, the Department of Health and Environment, the State Fire Marshal and any other state agencies as deemed necessary by the State Board of Education; and
2. May consult with any local agencies and school boards as deemed necessary by the State Board of Education: Provided further, that the standards developed by the State Board of Education under this subsection shall include, but are not limited to:
   1. The infrastructure of school buildings and attendance centers operated by school districts in this state, including secured entrances, windows and other facets of the structural integrity of such buildings;
   2. security technology to be utilized in such buildings, including, but not limited to, intrusion detection systems and security cameras;
   3. communications systems, including, but not limited to, systems for interoperability between the school district and law enforcement agencies; and
   4. any other systems or facilities the State Board of Education deems necessary for the safety and security of such buildings: And provided further, that the State Board of Education shall notify all school districts of the standards adopted under this subsection on or before January 1, 2019:

Standard 1. School districts shall safeguard that the infrastructure of school buildings and/or attendance centers operated by the district; are safe and secure, which includes creating secured doors (interior and exterior), enhancing the safety of windows, and improving any facet of structural building integrity. School districts shall consult with local law enforcement officials as well as local emergency management agencies to review and evaluate the existing infrastructure of school buildings.

Standard 2. School districts shall create or enhance security technology systems to be used in the buildings, including but not limited to, security cameras, integrated exterior door locks, fire alarms, panic buttons or other intrusion detection systems. Appropriate staff shall receive annual training involving security technology systems.

Standard 3. School districts shall provide a communication system that allows information sharing between the school district, law enforcement and other first responders. A process should be determined for district employees to follow to contact law enforcement. This system should be tested with staff twice a year during school hours. A matrix shall be included illustrating the interoperable communications with all first responders in the district.

Standard 4. School districts shall create a procedure for notifying individuals not on school grounds during emergency situations (i.e. parents/community members).

Standard 5. School districts shall have in place an up-to-date school safety and security plan (crisis plan) that is approved by the local board of education. The plan shall include a procedure for outside individuals entering district facilities when they have business to discuss with school officials. The plan shall also include procedures for securing school buildings during an emergency, and evacuation plans, reunification plans, routes, and sites in case of emergency. The plan should discuss how to recover from an emergency situation, and any other policies or procedures the local board of education deems necessary.

Standard 6. School districts shall provide annual training for staff and students on how they should react in cases of emergency and specifically review the public portions of their school’s crisis plan.

Standard 7. Crisis drills shall be conducted to ensure procedures are working effectively. School districts shall establish procedures to ensure accountability for implementing crisis plans.

Standard 8. School districts shall consult local law enforcement officials and other emergency management agencies to contribute, review and evaluate the current crisis plans and identify the different roles and responsibilities of those involved during an emergency event prior to local board of education approval. Once the plan is approved by the local board of education, the plan shall then be sent to the State Board of Education. School districts shall be responsible to make the crisis plan available to local law enforcement, emergency management, and other first responder agencies and internally on a need-to-know basis after approval by the local school board.

Standard 9. If school districts choose to implement a firearm safety program, the program curriculum must meet the following criteria; kindergarten through fifth grade, the program must be Eddie Eagle, or other evidence-based youth firearm safety program. For grades sixth through eighth, Eddie Eagle, or other evidence-based youth firearm safety program, OR “Hunters Education in our Schools Program” offered by the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism, or any other evidence-based program. For students enrolled in grades nine through 12, “Hunters Education in our Schools Program” offered by the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism or any other evidence-based program shall be taught.