Project Grant 15JCOPS23GG04554SSIX

WEBSTER COUNTY SAFER SCHOOLS PROPOSAL. WEBSTER COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION IS LOCATED IN WEBSTER SPRINGS, WV. WEBSTER SPRINGS IS LOCATED ALONG THE ELK RIVER. THIS IS A RURAL AREA WITH PERSISTENT POVERTY AND HISTORICALLY DISADVANTAGED COMMUNITY TRACTS. WEBSTER COUNTY POVERTY RATE HAS BEEN ABOVE 25% SINCE 1990. IN COUNTY HEALTH RANKINGS, WEBSTER COUNTY RANKS LOW AT 50 OF 55 COUNTIES IN WV FOR OVERALL QUALITY OF LIFE AND SOCIAL ECONOMICS. THE MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME IS $37,720 WITH A PER CAPITA INCOME OF $19,672. THE RECENT VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENT OF THE BUILDING'S COMMUNICATION SYSTEM WAS DETERMINED TO HAVE SIGNIFICANT GAPS IN THE COVERAGE AREAS. ALSO IDENTIFIED WERE EFFICIENT COMMUNICATIONS DURING EMERGENCY SITUATIONS, AND THE NEED TO USE THE INTERCOM SYSTEM BY STAFF MEMBERS TO MAKE THOSE ANNOUNCEMENTS. IT WAS ASSESSED THAT THE CURRENT BUILDING-WIDE PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEM IS WORKING AT ABOUT 35% OF WHAT IS NEEDED TODAY. THE FIRE MARSHAL, OEM, SHERIFF'S OFFICE, AND THE STATE POLICE PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO US IN PREPARING AND PRACTICING FOR SCHOOL SAFETY DRILLS. THE SCHOOL SAFETY DRILLS INCLUDE A FIRE DRILL, BOMB THREAT, WEATHER OR NATURAL DISASTER DRILL, ACTIVE SHOOTER FOR ARMED INTRUDER DRILL, PRECAUTIONARY LOCKDOWN, LOCKDOWN, AND A SHELTER IN PLACE. THE DRILLS ARE OUTLINED IN THE CRISIS RESPONSE PLAN. WE HAVE HIGH VALUE IN OUR PARTNERSHIPS TO HELP SOLVE PROBLEMS, AND WORK TOGETHER SERVING STUDENTS, IN ANY WAY POSSIBLE. THESE ARE ALL CONTRIBUTING AGENCIES TO OUR SAFE SCHOOL ENVIRONMENTS, WORKING TOGETHER TO PROVIDE A CONTINUUM OF SERVICES TO ALL STUDENTS AND THOSE WHO NEED ADDITIONAL HELP. TOGETHER WE WRAP AROUND STUDENTS AND FAMILIES WHO NEED ADDITIONAL INTERVENTION. THE PROJECTS WE WILL BE INSTALLING WILL WORK TO PROTECT STUDENTS AND STAFF, AND NOT CRIMINALIZE THEIR BEHAVIOR. BEHAVIOR WILL CONTINUE TO BE MANAGED BY THE SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS AND THIS WILL NOT CHANGE WITH THIS INSTALLATION. THESE TECHNOLOGIES WILL PROVIDE EFFICIENCY IN THE WAY WE CAN RESPOND TO CRITICAL EVENTS, AND THE BUS CAMERAS WILL HELP US PREVENT AND DETER INCIDENTS. THE PROTECTIONS WE ARE SEEKING INCLUDE: 1-ALL SCHOOLS, BUILDING WIDE, COMMUNICATION SYSTEM INTEGRATED WITH SECURITY SYSTEMS AND POLICE NOTIFICATION, 2-VIDEO SURVEILLANCE EQUIPMENT FOR ALL SCHOOLS, 3-NOISE SENSORS FOR AGGRESSION DETECTION, AND 4-BUS GPS AND WIRELESS VIDEO UPLOADS. PROJECT DIRECTORS AT THE CENTRAL OFFICE WILL OVERSEE THE PROJECT AND ITS EFFECTIVENESS. ALL STAFF WILL BE TRAINED IN THE PROPER USE OF ALL EQUIPMENT AND BEST PRACTICES USED FOR PROPER IMPLEMENTATION. THIS PROJECT WILL BE REVIEWED MONTHLY FOR POTENTIAL ISSUES THAT MAY ARISE. WE PLAN TO PARTNER WITH PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS THAT WILL BE ABLE TO GUIDE US WITH THE PURCHASE, INSTALLATION, AND TRAINING OF MODERN TECHNOLOGY. WE WILL ENGAGE OUR EMERGENCY RESPONDERS, TEST AND INTERACT WITH THE MASS MESSAGING COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS AND THE GPS LOCATOR ON THE SCHOOL BUSES. THIS IS A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF FUNDS FOR A SCHOOL DISTRICT WITH LITTLE RESOURCES AND FUNDS NECESSARY TO HAVE ACCOMPLISHED SIGNIFICANT TECHNOLOGY AND EQUIPMENT UPGRADES FOR THE SAFETY AND SECURITY OF OUR SCHOOL ENVIRONMENTS.