Fairfax County Public Schools write $4 million check for locks, security and mental health jobs
Fairfax County VA July 29 2018 Fairfax County public school classrooms will be getting better locks, 18 new mental health professionals will be hired and people are going to be hired to improve security training in the schools. The county school board approved the spending Friday. Total cost: $4 million.
More than 1,800 outdated dual-key interior classroom locks will be replaced to allow a fast lockdown if it’s necessary. Cost: $1 million.
Eight security planners/trainers will be hired. Three of them will design a comprehensive safety and security training program. Five more will run tabletop exercises. Those exercises run through various security scenarios while sitting in a conference room. At least one lockdown drill each year is planned during lunch or between classes. Cost: $800 thousand a year.
To strengthen mental health support for students, an additional 18 psychologists and social workers will be hired. All high schools currently have full-time psychologists and social workers; the new positions will be placed in middle schools and targeted elementary schools. These individuals will also be involved in follow-up work for threat assessments. Cost: $2.16 million a year.
Security recommendations were provided by the FCPS Office of Safety and Security in June, and included an evaluation of current security procedures as well as recommendations for improvements to current security practices. Safety and security training recommendations included improving lockdown drills, reinforcing proper electronic door access, required annual safety and security training, and a review and evaluation of the school-based threat assessment.
Earlier this month the school board held public hearings on the recommendations to receive feedback and comments from the community.
In addition to these steps, in June the school board requested additional information in a few areas. They include additional interior cameras for middle schools and elementary schools, the effectiveness of an options-based approach to risk assessment in some instances, and a review of procedures for administrative buildings.
Once the Superintendent has completed the review and assessment of those the school board will hold an additional work session on those areas.
Fairfax News
