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Blunt Beefs up Homeland Security Teams for School Safety



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Oct 27, 2006, News Report

Gov. Matt Blunt today signed an executive order adding an education representative to the state's Regional Homeland Security Oversight Committees (RHCOC) and called on educators to get involved in school safety planning.

"We all play a role to ensure our schools, and more importantly our children, are safe," Blunt said. "Enhancing school safety requires ongoing cooperation among schools, law enforcement, communities and first responders."

The executive order introduces a new approach to homeland security in Missouri that for the first time officially includes the education community. The governor has directed each RHSOC to add elementary and secondary education as another category with full membership representation so that schools are actively engaged in homeland security planning.

Blunt also sent a letter to state school officials encouraging them to implement recommendations designed to enhance school safety. Blunt encourages Missouri school officials to:
  • Create a comprehensive school safety plan and review that plan on a regular basis.
  • Include all levels of public safety personnel, as well as all sectors of school personnel (instructional, administrative and functional staff), in the planning process.
  • Continue to communicate with stakeholders on providing safe schools. Parents, students, staff, administration and public safety personnel should be in constant communication regarding new developments and incident prevention methods.
  • Provide training, at least annually, to personnel in all sectors on school safety procedures.
  • Assist students in feeling connected to their schools. Provide character education as an important role in keeping students engaged as part of the school community.

The recommendations and executive order follow the Internet broadcast "Enhancing School Safety: A Dialog on Targeted School Violence." The program provided a forum for the state, schools and law enforcement to discuss the issue of school safety and goals for keeping our schools and children safe.

Missouri's school officials are encouraged to visit the state's homeland security Internet site to view state resources available to assist them in addressing school safety needs. The governor's Homeland Security Advisory Council has also created a Safe Schools Working Group focused on developing consistent emergency plans throughout Missouri that ensure a seamless approach to school safety.
KW

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