News Stories

The safety of our students and staff at Brooklyn Center Community Schools is always our top priority. To ensure our community and our visitors feel safe, the district continues to strengthen security equipment and processes to stay ahead of the curve.

 

Last year, BCCS developed a comprehensive emergency response plan with the help of local law enforcement, emergency management, and public health officials. Within a master emergency plan, a common denominator to ensuring buildings are secure is with the important use of technology.

 

“Having a secured plan in place in tandem with enhanced technology, provides for a thorough security and response plan,” BCCS’s Principal on Special Assignment John Huber said. “Our team continues to stay up-to-date on products and inform our community on new systems when appropriate.”

 

Huber has served in security roles at various school districts and has created and implemented numerous safety plans. Huber has recently overseen several new technology upgrades at BCCS:

 

• Recently, the district implemented Raptors Technology visitor management system at the main entrance of each building. By scanning a visitor’s driver’s license or federally-issued ID, the system will ensure that the visitor is cleared to be on our property. Upon arrival at our buildings, visitors are welcome to enter the building with a visitor badge.

 

• Only staff members are able to enter doors other than the main entrance. Students and staff are not permitted to prop open doors for any reason. Also, more than 150 staff members have radios and can communicate with each other when needed, even when in different buildings. 

 

• This past summer, an upgraded security camera system was installed throughout the district. Having updated security equipment like building cameras or fobbed access helps prevent safety issues. When a safety concern does arise, the proper security equipment helps make investigations faster and more reliable so the issue can be resolved quickly.

 

Staff members regularly participate in safety training and students regularly participate in drills for various scenarios. Staff members review correct terminology with their students in order to provide a sense of calm and order when an emergency occurs. Families are communicated with and provided specific information on how and when they will be communicated with during an emergency. 

 

“It is important for each person in our school community to know what they should do and feel comfortable,” Huber said. “If anyone in our district or community hears or sees anything out of the ordinary, don’t hesitate to contact a staff member or call one of our buildings as soon as possible.”

 

If our community approves the new capital project levy, our district will be able to continue to enhance our security measures to ensure we are ahead of the curve when it comes to school safety. To learn more about the 2024 Referendum, visit our web page and view our Frequently Asked Questions.