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Palatine library is Dist. 15's parent info site during school crisis

Should a crisis arise at one of District 15's 12 Palatine schools, parents will now be able to gather at a central location to receive live, in-person updates from law enforcement officials and District 15 administrators.

"As a community, safety is our first priority," said Matthew Barbini, District 15 deputy superintendent of schools. "It is absolutely wonderful that we are able to enter into this partnership with the Palatine Police Department and the Palatine Public Library District."

Officials from District 15, the Palatine Police Department, and Palatine Public Library District recently agreed to designate Palatine Public Library, 700 N. North Court, as the district's new central information site for parents during a school crisis.

"The library is privileged to support this exemplary, proactive initiative with our partners. We recognize this as an opportunity to reinforce our mission to serve the community's information needs," said Anthony Auston, director of Palatine Public Library District.

This partnership is the result of District 15's annual review of its crisis response plan with local law enforcement officials each summer. Jeff Schlee, Palatine Police school safety officer, recommended this action, as authorities' analysis of their responses to school crises often note that efforts were complicated by additional traffic and crowding created by parents gathering at the actual location of the crisis.

By meeting at a central location like Palatine Public Library - instead of converging on the area around a school - parents will still be able receive important information and status updates from authorities during an emergency. However, they will be able to do so without hindering first responders' efforts to secure the school and ensure the safety of its students and staff.

"It is pivotal that the parents are educated on their roles and responsibilities during a school crisis," said Schlee. "Giving them a place to get information and resources quickly is extremely important to limit confusion and ease any chaos to first responders out at the scene."

Palatine Public Library will only serve as an information site for parents. It will not serve as a reunification site should one be necessary during a school crisis at one of District 15's 12 Palatine schools. District 15 is currently working with the Rolling Meadows and Hoffman Estates Police departments to identify venues that could serve this purpose for the district's schools located in their communities.

Last summer, the district's annual review of its crisis response plan also led to the implementation of a new security initiative. In the fall, the district began using 65-cent magnets to speed up the process of locking and securing classroom doors during a crisis situation. Principals, District 15 administrators, and local law enforcement agencies from Palatine, Rolling Meadows and Hoffman Estates worked together to plan and implement that safety initiative.

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