Sanders County schools put in extra safety measures

[This is part two of a series looking at school safety in Sanders County.]

The rural nature of schools in Sanders County means emergency management planning becomes much more important because of the distance and time for emergency responders to be on scene.

“I think law enforcement plays a very important part in the whole picture,” Plains Superintendent Kathleen Walsh said.

Plains School District recently installed perimeter security fencing limiting access for the public to the school through the main front door only. This district has received concerns about the addition of the perimeter security measures.

Plains Police Officer Geenen commented, “For those who look at the doors and fences and say, why are you doing that? The question I would pose to them is, what is an acceptable number of injured students? For [the Plains Police Department] it’s zero.”

Walsh added, “We have to protect our children; we have to protect our staff against possibilities.”

Highway Patrol Officer Steve Spurr spoke about the extensive training officers receive for threats on school properties yearly.

Spurr said, “We do simulation training. We do training in full gear going into a situation. We have to figure out if we have to engage this person or don’t have to engage this person.  If part of my job is taking a round (bullet) because I have got to do it. If today is the day that I cash my life ticket in, to stop some guy from doing some crap that he is not supposed to be doing, then today is the day I have to do it.”

This type of training is given to all law enforcement officers that attend the Montana Law Enforcement Academy.

Thompson Falls Police Department responded to the Valley Press’ request for information about how their department works with and responds to emergency events at the three schools in the Thompson Falls School District.

Police Chief Christopher Nichols said, “The TFPD conducts active threat response training whenever possible during school district PIR or training days with the Thompson Falls School District faculty.”

Unique in Sanders County is Thompson Falls Police and the Sheriff’s Office ability to conduct tactical training in the schools. Thompson Falls Police and the Thompson Falls Ambulance service together also conduct active integrated response training at school facilities.

Officers from Thompson Falls each receive Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training (ALERRT). They also participate when the Thompson Falls School District conducts lock-down drills or run tests with their facility locking systems. TFPD keeps dedicated equipment and medical supplies on site at the Thompson Falls High School.

Sanders County Sheriff’s Office has partnered with the Noxon School District.

Sheriff Sawn Fielders said, “Noxon’s opened their doors up for us to do that after hours. The deputies that would probably be responding to that, (emergency event) would know the layout of the schools.”

Sheriff’s deputies have been involved in various school lock down drills around the county.

“Sheriff Detective Ethan Harvey has been a huge help in staying in contact with the schools and trying to get something a little more regular (training with schools),” Fielders continued.

Harvey was instrumental in helping Noxon high school senior Haylee Wiedeman complete her senior project involving the “Stop the Bleed” program. Wiedeman was able to find funding to purchase “Stop the Bleed” medical kits for the school, with the help of Harvey.

Fielders commented that all agencies need to be involved during an emergency event, from tribal police in the Dixon and Hot Springs areas to game wardens and Highway Patrol.

“We would take anybody we can. Anytime we train, they need to be involved as well,” Fielder stated. “The more we can interact with the schools the better.”

Each of the districts use security cameras extensively, covering both their interiors and exteriors. New security cameras can now easily identify and locate individuals. Each of the schools have given easy access to law enforcement for quick entry responses.

All Sanders County schools conduct state-mandated emergency drill exercises, as well.

The Noxon School District has a strict visitor management system procedure in place that clearly identifies visitors.

Superintendent Dave Whitesell said, “If you didn’t have your tag (visitor badge) on, you would be challenged.”

Staff regularly perform unscheduled perimeter checks, and conduct age-appropriate safety drills. Plans include updates with new security technologies when appropriate and continue staff training programs, like Alice (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter and Evacuate).

Whitesell brings to the school district years of experience with this year being his fourth year in Noxon and his 31st year in education. He has previously served as a superintendent in Polson, Stevensville, Twin Bridges and Arlee.

“When I went into education, I didn’t know, as an administrator, I was going to figure out how to control exterior and interior perimeters. That’s what it has become,” Whitesell said.

Noxon School has been able to keep the students involved in their own security. Senior student Haylee Wiedeman, for her senior project, was able to find donated funds and acquire $1,700 worth of medical emergency equipment for the school.

Whitesell’s closing statement was, “We want our community to know that safety is our highest priority. We maintain an open communication with parents, and we welcome their input in our safety planning. Our approach to school safety is proactive, comprehensive, and continuously evolving to address new challenges.”

Trout Creek Dean of Students Kimberly Johnson e-mailed a statement, “We have safety plans, but we don’t want to share them with the press. We feel that would place our students in danger. We do practice all our drills according to Montana state laws.”

An interview with Dixon Superintendent/Principle Ryon Noland reviewed the many security items that the school is currently using. Some of those items include the newer integrated electronic security system that is linked to the Sanders County Dispatch network, monthly safety drills with some involving local first responders. Upcoming plans include enhanced security around school property. Also, the Dixon School District will continue to involve law enforcement in their springtime drills.

Noland said, “Our goal is a revolving goal at all times, we are continually working on improving the physical components of safety in school. We’re working to, not just improve those things, but to better train staff, students, and community, in case there ever was an emergency. The main goal is to do all I can to ensure our students and staff are safe, secure, and have a learning environment to match We all know that when kids feel safe they learn.”

Hot Springs Superintendent Gerald Chouinard said, “For obvious reasons when we talk about any type of emergency drills, whether it is a fire drill or lock down, you have certain types of internal procedures that we do not want to share.”

He continued “In this day and age we cannot be too careful. There are things that the public needs to know, why we are doing some of the things that we are doing.”

The Hot Springs School District is continually looking at ways to enhance their security. 

Chouinard commented, “We’re fortifying our borders ... we just put new fencing in to ensure we have the most safe and secure facility for this precious cargo that are our children.”

Chouinard’s closing remarks were, “Within Hot Springs schools we’re committed to do whatever it takes to ensure a safe and secure facility for this most precious cargo.”

Thompson Falls School Superintendent Bud Scully brings to the district years of experience as a school administrator and as one who has experienced school emergencies. He had spent 30 plus years in the Arizona school system and six years with the Florance District in Montana before coming to Thompson Falls. Scully spoke about each of the schools in the district having secure entry points requiring staff intervention before entering the facility. Those procedures were first started two years ago. Several years ago, the district changed their keyed door locking system to a card entry system that records who the owner of the card is and the time the card was used.

Scully said the staff regularly performs a variety of drills, evacuation, fire, earthquake, and reunification drills.

“It’s an ongoing process. A couple of years ago we did the Stop the Bleed training,” Scully commented. “We have a safe school. No school is perfect. No school is immune to an incident. All our adults on the playground wear a safety vest so they can be easily identified. A lot of common sense is going to keep kids better protected. We do the best possible job that we can.”

    Thompson Falls School Superintendent Bud Scully discusses security in the school district. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)
  

    Thompson Falls High School's main security entrance is equipped with a digital keypad lock. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)
  

    Sanders County Sheriff Shawn Fielders talks about school safety emergency protocols in the county. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)