ABSTRACT
Being safe is the most basic expectation of students, faculty, and staff in a school. However, safety and security measures in schools are often weak. The three areas on which schools need to focus to ensure safety include: emergency preparedness; child abuse protocols; and partnerships with law enforcement. Proper emergency protocols must be in place to safely meet the need for evacuation, sheltering in place, and lockdowns. Leaders must ensure these protocols are practiced regularly so they become routine. There is, however, a fine balance between being prepared for an emergency situation and being overly vigilant. Crimes like assault, drug dealing, or cyberbullying assault require the intervention of law enforcement. Before serious crimes occur, school leaders should establish a relationship with the local law enforcement agency to create fair, legal, and appropriate agreements on how disciplinary matters are handled.
