Safety and Security
The School District shall have a safety program promoting the safety and security of everyone on District property or at a District event. The Superintendent or designee shall develop, implement, and maintain a comprehensive safety and security plan that includes, without limitation:
- An emergency operations plans(s) addressing prevention, preparation, response, and recovery for each school;
- Provisions for a coordinated effect with local law enforcement and fire officials, emergency medical services personnel, and the Board Attorney;
- A school safety drill plan;
- Instruction in safe bus riding practices; and
- A clear, rapid, factual, and coordinated system of internal and external communications.
In the event of an emergency that threatens the safety of any person or property, students and staff are encouraged to follow the best practices discussed for their building regarding the use of any available cellular telephones:
School Safety Drill Plan
During every academic year, each school building that houses school children shall conduct, at a minimum, each of the following in accordance with the School Safety Drill Act, 105 ILCS 128/:
- Three school evacuation drills
- One bus evacuation drill
- One severe weather and shelter-in-place drill
- One law enforcement drill
Automated External Defibrillator (AED)
The Superintendent or designee shall implement a written plan for responding to medical emergencies at the District’s physical fitness facilities in accordance with the Fitness Facility Medical Emergency Preparedness Act. The plan shall provide for an automated external defibrillator (AED) to be available according to State law requirements. This policy does not create an obligation to use an AED nor is it intended to create any expectation that an AED will be present or a trained person will be present and/or able to use an AED.
Carbon Monoxide Alarms
The Superintendent or designee shall implement a plan with the District’s local fire officials to:
- Determine which school buildings to equip with approved carbon monoxide alarms or carbon monoxide detectors.
- Locate the required carbon monoxide alarms or carbon monoxide detectors within 20 feet of a carbon monoxide emitting device, and
- Incorporate carbon monoxide alarm or detector activation procedures into each school building that requires a carbon monoxide alarm or detector. The Superintendent or designee shall ensure each school building annually reviews the procedures.
Soccer Goal Safety
The Superintendent or designee shall implement the Movable Soccer Goal Safety Act in accordance with the guidance published by the Illinois Department of Public Health. Implementation of the Act shall be directed toward improving the safety of movable soccer goals by requiring that they be properly anchored.
Unsafe School Choice Option
The unsafe school choice option allows students to transfer to another District school or to a public charter school within the District. The unsafe school choice option is available to:
- All students attending a persistently dangerous school, as defined by State law and identified by the Illinois State Board of Education.
- Any student who is a victim of a violent criminal offense, as defined by 725 ILCS 120/3 that occurred on school grounds during regular school hours or during a school-sponsored event.
The Superintendent or designee shall develop procedures to implement the unsafe school choice option.
Emergency Closing
The Superintendent is authorized to close school(s) in the event of hazardous weather or other emergency that threatens the safety of students, staff members, or school property.
Annual Review
The Board or its designee will annually review each school building’s safety and security plans, protocols, and procedures, as well as each building’s compliance with the school safety drill plan.
LEGAL REF.: 105 ILCS 5/10-20.2, 5/10-20.56,5/18-12, 5/18-12.5 and 128/. 210
ILCS 74, Physical Fitness Facility Medical Emergency Preparedness Act,
CROSS REF.: 4:110 (Transportation), 4:175 (Convicted Child Sex Offender; Criminal Background Check and/or Screen; Notifications), 4:180 (Pandemic Preparedness) 5:30 (Hiring Process and Criteria), 8:30 (Visitors to and Conduct on School Property), 8:100 (Relations with Other Organizations and Agencies)
ADOPTED: October 22, 2007
REVISED: December 14, 2009
May 24, 2010
February 28, 2011
April 30, 2013
August 30, 2013
November 24, 2014
January 25, 2016
