4:170 Safety

Safety and Security

All District operations, including the education program, shall be conducted in a manner that will promote the safety and security of everyone on District property or at a District event.  The Superintendent or designee shall develop, implement, and maintain a comprehensive safety and security plan that includes, without limitation:

1. An emergency operations plan(s) addressing prevention, preparation, response, and recovery for each school;
2. Provisions for a coordinated effort with local law enforcement and fire officials, emergency medical services personnel, and the Board Attorney;
3. A school safety drill plan;
4. Instruction in safe bus riding practices;  and
5. A clear, rapid, factual, and coordinated system of internal and external communication.

In the event of an emergency that threatens the safety of any person or property, students and staff are encouraged to follow the best practices discussed for their building regarding the use of any available cellular telephones.

School Safety Drill Plan

During every academic year, each school building that houses school children shall conduct, at a minimum, each of the following in accordance with the School Safety Drill Act, 105 ILCS 128/:

1. Three school evacuation drills to address and prepare students and school personnel for fire incidents.  One of these three drills shall require the participation of the local fire department.
2. One bus evacuation drill.
3. One severe weather and shelter-in-place drill to address and prepare students and school personnel for possible tornado incidents.
4. One law enforcement drill to address a school shooting incident.

Annual Review

The School Board or its designee will annually review each school building’s safety and security plans, protocols, and procedures, as well as each building’s compliance with the school safety drill plan.  This annual review shall be in accordance with the School Safety Drill Act (105 ILCS 128/) and the Joint Rules of the Office of the State Fire Marshall and the Illinois State Board of Education (29 Ill. Admin Code Part 1500).

Automated External Defibrillator (AED)

The Superintendent or designee shall implement a written plan for responding to medical emergencies at the District’s physical fitness facilities in accordance with the Fitness Facility Medical Emergency Preparedness Act and shall file a copy with the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH).  The plan shall provide for at least one automated external defibrillator (AED) to be available at every physical fitness facility on the premises according to State law requirements.

The District shall have an AED on site as well as a trained user: (1) on staff during staffed business hours; and (2) available during activities or events sponsored and conducted or supervised by the District.  The Superintendent or designee shall ensure that every AED on the District’s premises is properly tested and maintained in accordance with rules developed by the IDPH.  This policy does not create an obligation to use an AED.

Carbon Monoxide Alarms

The Superintendent or designee shall implement a plan with the District’s local fire officials to:

1. Determine which school buildings to equip with approved carbon monoxide alarms or carbon monoxide detectors.
2. Locate the required carbon monoxide alarms or carbon monoxide detectors within 20 feet of a carbon monoxide emitting device, and
3. Incorporate carbon monoxide alarm or detector activation procedures into each school building that requires a carbon monoxide alarm or detector.  The Superintendent or designee shall ensure each school building annually reviews these procedures.

Soccer Goal Safety

The Superintendent or designee shall implement the Movable Soccer Goal Safety Act in accordance with the guidance published by the IDPH.  Implementation of the Act shall be directed toward improving the safety of movable soccer goals by requiring that they be properly anchored.

Unsafe School Choice Option

The unsafe school choice option allows students to transfer to another District school or to a public charter school within the District. The unsafe school choice option is available to:

1. All students attending a persistently dangerous school, as defined by State law and identified by the Illinois State Board of Education.
2. Any student who is a victim of a violent criminal offense, as defined by 725 ILCS 120/3, that occurred on school grounds during regular school hours or during a school-sponsored event.

The Superintendent or designee shall develop procedures to implement the unsafe school choice option.

Emergency Closing

The Superintendent is authorized to close school(s) in the event of hazardous weather or other emergency that threatens the safety of students, staff members, or school property.

Lead Testing in Water

The Superintendent or designee shall implement testing for lead in each source of drinking water in school buildings in accordance with the Illinois Plumbing License Law and guidance published by the IDPH.  The Superintendent or designee shall notify parent(s)/guardian(s) about the sampling results from their children’s respective school buildings.

Cross Reference:

4:110 Transportation

4:180 Pandemic Preparedness

5:030 Hiring Process and Criteria

8:030 Visitors to and Conduct on School Property

8:100 Relations with Other Organizations and Agencies

Legal Reference(s):

105 ILCS 5/10-20.2, 5/10-20.56, 5/18-12, and 5/18-12.5

105 ILCS 128/, School Safety Drill Act, Implemented by 29 Ill. Admin Code Part 1500

210 ILCS 74/, Physical Fitness Facility Medical Emergency Preparedness Act.

225 ILCS 320/35.3, Ill. Plumbing License Law

Date Adopted:   April 22, 2011

Date Amended:  January 23, 2018