Some schools make physical changes to boost safety

Safe schools, not fortresses.

That's the philosophy of school security experts and others who have taken a long, hard look at school shootings and other teen violence issues.

Physical security measures are important because they help create a positive learning environment and expectations that students will avoid risky behaviors such as substance abuse and bringing weapons on campus.

"The visible security hopefully says that we care about your kids and we want them to be safe," said Larry Borland, chief of security for Academy School District 20.

"If you give me the money, I can make a really, really safe school, but it wouldn't be the one I'd want my kids to go to," he added. "You have to strike a balance between security and a welcome and wholesome environment for learning."

Borland also pointed out that some security measures are aimed at daily issues that the public might not think about.

"One of the things that really worries me is the domestic issues that come to school. That happens almost on a daily basis," he said. So front-door security has as much to do with such things as child-custody issues as it does with keeping out armed intruders.

Many schools now have video cameras trained on doorways, sign-in systems for visitors and requirements for students and teachers - and sometimes parents - to display ID badges.

Here's a sampling of recent physical changes to improve security at Pikes Peak region schools:

- Colorado Springs School District 11 has spent about $19 million from a 2004 bond for security improvement, mostly to remodel schools built in the 1970s with open classrooms. The open concept schools did not meet modern fire code standards, and classrooms could not be locked down if necessary, said Frank Bernhard, D-11's executive director of facility, operations and transportation. The last three of 10 schools being remodeled will be completed this summer.

D-11 also is installing a buzz-in system at all schools so all doors can be locked during the day. About two-thirds of the schools have buzzers. Video monitoring has been added at elementary schools and expanded at high schools and middle schools. Before Columbine, video monitoring was aimed primarily at preventing outside vandalism. Now, it's aimed at watching entryways and common areas, Bernhard said.

- District 20 has earmarked $2.8 million for security improvements, including a visitor management system that requires identification checks against a database, a radio system that's interoperable with law enforcement, and video cameras. It's also hiring its own security personnel to supplement the School Resource Officers that police help pay for. Each high school will have three security officers, each middle school will have one and others will patrol among the elementary schools.

- Woodland Park School District RE-2 did a safety inventory of its schools after the attack on Platte Canyon High School in Bailey and has spent about $600,000 on such measures as additional lighting and video cameras to monitor entryways, said superintendent Guy Arseneau.

A Decade of Change in Colorado
In the 10 years since the April 20, 1999, Columbine High School attack, numerous state laws and other efforts have been aimed at school safety. Among the highlights:

2000: Columbine Review Commission appointed by Gov. Bill Owens; state Legislature adopts the Safe Schools Act and a law allowing the exchange of information between schools and state agencies; statewide anti-bullying campaign launched.

2001: Columbine review released.

2002: Colorado Department of Education launches statewide Positive Behavior Support initiative.

2003: Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and The Colorado Trust develop suicide prevention strategic plan.

2004: Safe2Tell reporting hotline launched.

2005: The Colorado Trust initiates a three-year, $9 million grant program to fund bullying prevention efforts.

2006: Four Colorado counties, including El Paso, and the University of Colorado- Boulder, get trained in suicide awareness and intervention strategies by the state health department.

2007: Colorado Department of Public Safety proposes creation of School Safety Resource Center.

2008: Legislature approves bill creating School Safety Resource Center; Safe Schools Act amended to require all school districts to adopt the National Incident Management Standards.

2009: Updated suicide prevention strategy report due out in May.

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Call the writer at 636-0251.