District 70 Improves School Security with State Grant

MORE SAFETY FEATURES TO BE ADDED TO

LIBERTYVILLE SCHOOL DISTRICT 70

THANKS TO STATE GRANT

         Libertyville School District 70 will add video cameras to front school entrances, coat front window glass with shatter-resistant film and create a special mobile app with specific emergency information thanks to a state grant of about $60,000.

         The additional security measures come during a year that prioritized student and teacher safety in all six buildings, including creating double-doors with locked vestibule entrances, visitor screening systems and new locks on classroom doors.

         “I am tremendously grateful to continue to add safety features to our schools and appreciate the work of our Safety Committee of school administrators, as well as Libertyville police offices and firefighters,” said Supt. Dr. Guy Schumacher, who applied for the Illinois School and Campus Safety Grant Program with awards that are based on student population.

         “We have made safety a priority this school year and our community has adapted graciously to all the changes, which includes locked front doors that were unlocked just a year ago,” he said. “Enhancing school security is part of a national trend, really. We saw areas that needed to be secured and enhanced them last summer. Most of the new work should be completed this summer, as well.”

         A total of $25 million was available through the Illinois School Security Grant Program offered to schools K-8, as well as high schools, colleges and state universities.  The grant is being issued by the Illinois Emergency Management Agency. The grants were created on the heels of the mass shooting of students and staff at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Conn., in 2012. District 70 is one of 448 schools being awarded grant monies that are paying for reinforced doors, shatter-resistant glass, physical locks and other security measures that will enhance safety for students, staff and visitors. More than 620 school districts requested more than $54 million in the grant program.

         With the $59,000 awarded, Dr. Schumacher said District 70 will create an even safer environment for students and staff. While a districtwide survey rated school safety as high, parents also noted that it remains a priority to them even though they believe their children are safe. 

         Aside from the shatter-resistant glass and entrance video cameras, District 70 also will invest in a mobile app that can be used by law enforcement and District 70 staff members in case of an emergency. The system will serve as an alert and provide protective actions that may be taken.

         “We have to update our plans with the new technology available,” Schumacher said. “Instead of running out the door with the What-To-Do-In-An-Emergency binder, we’ll have it all on a mobile app.  It will always with be us.”

         Throughout the year, Libertyville police officers have randomly stopped in at the schools to create a presence, build relationships and learn the layout of the district’s five schools. The school district also has installed buttons that will alert security to potential threats in buildings and held drills with police and fire officials.  

         The extensive security changes made to make the schools safer have cost about $375,000.

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