The DuPage County School Mutual Aid Response Team (DuSMART), is a voluntary emergency relief program intended to provide monetary assistance to schools suffering from a crisis event "human-made or natural," according to a May 3 news release from the county.
School boards are expected to contribute up to $400 a year toward the program; the Regional Office of Education will additionally apply for grants or similar forms of funding.
"Recognizing that preparation is in the best interests of our students, staff and communities, the ability to plan and be ready for emergencies, arising out of either natural disaster or violence, cannot be understated," DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin said in the news release.
"School safety is a top priority of my administration, and this agreement facilitates the sharing of our knowledge, experience and resources that will enable us to completely and effectively respond to any situation that may be beyond the ability of one particular school or school district to manage on their own," he said.
The push for DuSMART's implementation was not spurred on by any local event, but national trends, Hinsdale High School District 86 Superintendent Tammy Prentiss said in an interview with the Doings.
The types of incidents that call for aid can range between natural disasters such flooding and fires, as well as man made disasters such as school shootings.
"This is an evolution of continuing to want to make sure that all the needs of individual districts are met to the best of our ability should there be a critical incident," Prentiss said.
District 86 is one of 27 public school districts involved in the mutual aid agreement, with the potential for expansion over time.
The program, which went into effect May 3, and will be administered by the Regional Office of Education.
"DuPage County continues to be an extremely collaborative place ... and I think this is just one more piece of evidence that we are all at the table facing modern day challenges," Prentiss said.
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