The ridgeview cusd #19, in partnership with the village of colfax, the colfax police department, and the districts mental health professionals are seeking funding for the project titled, ridgeview…

The ridgeview cusd #19, in partnership with the village of colfax, the colfax police department, and the districts mental health professionals are seeking funding for the project titled, ridgeview cusd #19 school violence prevention program project 2023. The purpose of this project is to invest in a new standard of updated security measures to target school violence, with a comprehensive view on the importance of student and staff safety. Ridgeview is a small, rural school district, encompassing 200 square miles in an agricultural community of approximately 1,400 people, and is located in the heart of central illinois. The districts school buildings are contained all in one campus, serving a student population of approximately 530 students, ranging from grades prek through 12. Ridgeview cusd#19 has been negatively impacted by an outdated security system, delayed response time when an emergency situation needs immediate attention, the ease of building access points being infiltrated by an intruder, and the inability to communicate in a timely manner with police and first responders. To assist in the success of the project, the district along with the following partners, the village of colfax, the colfax police department, and the districts mental health professionals, will all collaborate in implementing the districts overarching goal to create a safer building and school environment by way of meetings, training, and to serve as resources and subject matter experts. The main goals of this project are to improve security, slow down the progression of a threat, communicate with first responders, and align current systems and processes with new technology. Through the implementation of this project, our district will enhance security to provide a safe place for our students to learn and our staff to work. With svpp funds, the district will upgrade its camera system and access control, implement an emergency technology application for a crisis alert system, streamline all phone systems, install safety and security window film throughout the building, and provide the necessary training for the system updates and applications once they are implemented. Furthermore, we will leverage key partners including the village of colfax, the colfax police department, and ridgeviews mental health professionals who will support our mission of improving our school environment with increased security, where student and staff safety is of the utmost importance. These safety measures will serve the future of all ridgeviews prek through 12 grade students, staff, and the school community.