Safety and Security Forum
On May 2, Haslett Public Schools hosted a Safety and Security Forum in the Viking Room at Haslett High School. The forum was in response to the heightened national need to address safety and security in our schools.
In the wake of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting that occurred on February 14, 2018, Haslett Public Schools had a desire to speak to parents and community members regarding how they perceived we could make our schools safer for students and employees.
Ken Plaga from Meridian Township Police, along with our school building principals, discussed the safety procedures and drills students practice regularly during the school year. All school buildings are required to practice fire, tornado and lockdown drills a minimum of ten times each year. This practice schedule is available to parents and others on our website.
Steven Cook, Superintendent of Schools, discussed the district’s short-term and long-term safety and security goals. Wilkshire Early Childhood Center Counselor, Jewell Muller-Gornick, discussed the management of day-to-day crises and mental health education and Susan Gillings, Middle School Principal, presented information about the “be.nice” initiative. Parents and community members who attended the forum had opportunities to ask questions and share their ideas.
Haslett Public Schools will be putting a Bond Proposal, as well as a Site and Sinking Fund Proposal, on the August 7, 2018 ballot. These proposals include the addition of short and long-term plans to “beef up” safety and security in our school buildings. Safety and security upgrades such as cameras, buzzer systems/video intercoms, a visitor ID system and an electronic door monitoring system were discussed with participants attending the May 2 meeting.
Superintendent Cook is interested in hearing from members of the community who were unable to attend the Safety and Security Forum. At your convenience, please feel free to contact his office for an appointment at (517) 339-8242.