District 128 hosts school, first responder security discussion

Submitted by Community High School District 128

Community High School District 128 welcomed Libertyville District 70 and Hawthorn District 73 administrators and chiefs from Countryside Fire District, Libertyville Fire Department and the Libertyville and Vernon Hills Police Departments to its first joint School Safety and Security Meeting held March 21 at the District 128 Administration Center.

Following recent school tragedies, and last month's safety and security presentation at the District 128 Board of Education meeting, Superintendent Prentiss Lea asked District 128 feeder superintendents if they and their team members would be interested in a joint safety and security sharing session. Following a comprehensive presentation led by District 128 administrators, school resource officers and deans, attendees asked questions and discussed and shared best safety and security practices. Presentation and discussion topics included building security measures, technology, personnel, community resources and proactive measures.

"Our absolute first priority every day is to ensure that students and staff are safe and secure," said Lea. "Our D70, D73 and local first responder colleagues continue to work with collective, diligent purpose toward that end. The joint session was another great example of sharing information, planning and decision-making, and tactics across multiple local school districts, jurisdictions and government agencies to effectively prevent, and, if ever necessary, respond to a crisis at any of our school districts."

"At times like this when people come together, this is the true essence of collaboration," Libertyville School District 70 Superintendent Guy Schumacher said. "There's no question that student, staff, and community safety is our priority.

"We've learned from this gathering," Schumacher added. "We will continue to look at additional means and manners to support a safe school environment."

Participants plan to make this an annual opportunity to share updates, questions and concerns.

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