By Katee Underwood, Staff Writer
Preparing for the unthinkable was the focus on Monday, Nov. 2, as all USD 300 employees participated in a four-hour active-assailant training at the South Central High School cafeteria.
The mandatory training brought together staff members from all levels of employment in both school buildings. The session was led by John Calvert, head school safety specialist with the Kansas State Department of Education’s Safe and Secure Schools Unit.
Through real-world scenarios, statistics and practical instruction, Calvert addressed how school employees should respond during an active-assailant situation, including when to run, hide or fight.
An important part of the training focused on understanding when each response is appropriate and how staff can help lead students to safety during an emergency.
Comanche County Sheriff Jacob Bruckner and Deputy Tanner Huck also attended the training, providing an opportunity for school personnel and local law enforcement to strengthen their coordination.
Calvert emphasized the importance of having law enforcement involved in school safety planning, noting that although officers are often invited to participate in these types of trainings, they do not always attend.
He also praised the district’s existing safety preparations, pointing out that local officers already have an established response plan and detailed maps of both school buildings. Those maps can help officers navigate the buildings and locate potential threats during an emergency.
The training provided USD 300 employees with an opportunity to better understand their roles in an emergency and reinforced the importance of preparation, communication and coordination between school personnel and first responders.
