Schools enhance lockdown plans

The St. John/Endicott school districts are working to better their procedures for lockdowns with help from Sheriff’s Deputy Jim Pelissier who lives in Endicott.

“They told me what their policies were, and I made suggestions how to make that work better,” said Pelissier.

After being approached by the schools, Pelissier met with staff of the SJE schools and discussed lockdown procedures and what could happen. He made some suggestions on how to make some things a little safer.

“In some areas it was fine,” he said.

SJE Supt. Suzanne Schmick noted the schools have been doing lockdown drills for several years.

“The safety of students and staff are at our forefront,” she said. “We thought and listened carefully to what he said.”

Schmick pointed out there are various levels of lockdown, from closing off one area due to something like a medical emergency in the hall to full shutdown due to an extreme situation such as a shooter. Rosalia was recently on a modified lockdown with deputies on campus following the discovery of a threatening note. Another lockdown scenario could be an upset parent going to the school and threatening student and staff safety.

Schmick said it is important to keep a strong connection with the sheriff’s office and be open to ways to improve the school’s safety.

“I think it’s important to train safety,” she said.

While fire drills are still rehearsed, the importance of lockdown drills has become more evident.

“In recent history there’s been more need for a lockdown drill,” Pelissier said.

“Most of (the schools) have a general plan and they execute those plans very well,” he said.

“My hope in the future is to work with the schools,” he added. Someday he would like to practice a lockdown drill with deputies in the building so they could even better spot areas that could be improved on. The Sheriff’s office has conducted trainings in the past, some at school buildings, but never with students or during school hours.

Any school district interested in examining ways to improve their lockdown and safety procedures is welcomed to contact Pelissier at the Sheriff’s office.