More School-Based Officers Among LCPS Safety Recommendations

ASHBURN, VA — A panel started by Loudoun County Public Schools Superintendent Aaron Spence has made recommendations on safety protocols, including bolstering school security personnel.

The Blue Ribbon Panel on School Safety was tasked with assessing the LCPS safety protocols and processes. While the panel had overall positive feedback for the LCPS standards of school security, it made 11 recommendations to improve it further. Those recommendations are being considered by the school district.

"I have heard overwhelmingly positive things about the safety and security measures in LCPS during my tenure here," said Spencer. "That said, I know there are always opportunities to improve. I'm proud of the work this panel did to ensure we are doing everything we can to keep our students and staff as safe as possible, every day."

The recommendations are:

• Add security personnel coverage to elementary schools (armed school resource officers, unarmed school security officers or private security guards).
• Increase security personnel coverage for after-school events (armed school resource officers, unarmed school security officers or private security guards).
• Ensure Wi-Fi coverage is available throughout the entire school buildings, including hallways.
• Create a full-time supervisor position to manage the 24/7 Security Operations Center and expand the center.
• Prioritize school-level participation in safety and security and threat assessment training.
• Ensure that school resource officers and LCPS mental health representatives are involved in all threat assessments.
• Have the School Board label the Division of Safety & Security as a law enforcement unit.
• Create a formal alternative education site to allow for enhanced security measures for high-risk students.
• Work with public safety officials to assess public safety radio coverage within schools and address any gaps.
• Create a basic cybersecurity and social media best practices course and require completion for key LCPS stakeholders.
• Add a digital analysis assessment to all serious and very serious threat assessments.

The community can provide feedback on the recommendations, then the superintendent will create an action plan. LCPS says it will not publicly release all details of school security plans for safety reasons.

Feedback can be provided by visiting thoughtexchange.com/join and entering code 278757692.