If there is one aspect of the referendum that 100% affects our studnts well being while away from home, this is it. 

 

The AASD has a strong track record of providing a safe and secure learning environment for all students, staff, parents, and volunteers. The district has accomplished this by targeting a significant amount of time and money each year to support our school district safety initiatives. 

 

AASD knows that our students can do their best academic work when they feel safe and secure in their surroundings.  The goal is to find a proper balance between creating schools that are safe and secure while also maintaining an open and caring environment where students, staff, parents and community members feel welcome at our schools.  

 

It is impressive to learn the thought process that has gone on regarding improving safety and security in the Appleton Area School District.

The information below is taken form the AASD website:

 

Through our partnership with the Fox Valley Technical College’s Criminal Justice Center for Innovation, our school sites took part in an in-depth Safe School Security Assessment.  This was an excellent opportunity for our District staff to work with national security specialists to examine each school site and determine strengths and weaknesses specific to each site.  As part of the assessment, school officials were able to conduct a safety walk-thru and audit with a security specialist and afterward, received a set of recommendations meant to address safety and security concerns specific to their site.  Using available resources, the District has been able to address many of the recommendations that came out of this report, including:

 

·        Implementing Safety Teams and Safety Audits.  District and site-based safety teams complete and review safety audits at each school site on a regular basis.

·        Installing Entrance Controls.  Entrance controls are in place at each school site including personnel monitoring, card access, and/or security camera surveillance. 

·        Controlling Visitor Entry.  Visitor access is limited at all schools, primarily through a single entrance during the school day.

·        Conducting Imminent Threat and Other Safety Drills.  Drills are conducted at all school sites on a regular basis.

·        Installing Security Cameras and Security Lighting.  Installed at all locations but additional security cameras are needed.

 

To stay on top of our safety and security needs at all 27 school sites, additional resources are needed. 

 

Question 1 will allow the district to reconfigure several school entrances and front office spaces to improve building security and function in the District. Security projects are slated for:

• Badger - 

• Classical

• Columbus

• Edison

• Foster

• Franklin

• Huntley

• Jefferson

• Johnston

• Lincoln

• Madison

• North High School

• West High School

 

Question 2 will allow the district to provide necessary equipment to enhance security monitoring across our District, including purchasing and maintaining additional security cameras and walkie talkies that are needed to communicate effectively.

 

Safety will always be a number one priority for AASD, and providing these enhancements and upgrades will provide the most secure environment for all of our students to learn and grow. 

 

Our school facilities must be safe and secure for our students to be able to do their very best.  The referendum will provide the resources necessary for our District to appropriately address safety and security needs across all of our schools now and into the future. 

 

Please click on the links below for further information:

 

·        2013 Letter to the school board outlining what has been done to provide safe and secure schools in the AASD