The Maine Legislature recently passed L.D. 905, a resolve directing the Maine DOE to examine school security and work with security experts. As part of our efforts, we have developed a short survey and request that each superintendent offer feedback on this important topic by completing it at http://tinyurl.com/meschoolsecuritysurvey. Your response is requested no later than Friday, Dec. 13 so a nationally-recognized security consultant can analyze the results for a report to the Legislature.
LD 905 directs the Department to develop “prudent measures that may be taken to improve preparedness and facility security” of schools. The Department is in the process of gathering information from Maine school units “regarding the preparedness of schools to implement their required emergency management plans” (the people perspective) and the present physical condition of the schools in terms of facility security (the building perspective) in the event of an emergency.
The results of information gathered from individual school units will not be divulged, however a composite of all responding units will be compiled for the Legislature and to further inform our work.
For more information, contact Pat Hinckley at pat.hinckley@maine.gov or 207-624-6886. If you would like information about school security planning, please visit our website at www.maine.gov/doe/security/.