JAMESTOWN, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – All Jamestown Public Schools went into lockdown on May 23rd when an 18 year-old approached the front doors of the High School with a reported gun.
While the gun was found to be an airsoft gun after investigations, Jamestown Schools followed the instructions of local law enforcement in conducting the lockdown.
“The entirety of the lockdown was approximately 45 minutes,” Superintendent Rob Lech reports. “This covers the span from when JHS was placed into lockdown to the time that lockdown was lifted at all JPS buildings.”
Lech says communication was sent to parents a few minutes after lockdown was lifted and a press release was provided. He pointed out in his report that the decisions of locking down all schools came as a recommendation by law enforcement.
“It is important for all to note that when law enforcement becomes involved in an incident like this, we defer control due to logistics and because of their training and expertise,” Lech pointed out. “Once the law enforcement determined that there was no longer any threat, the district resumed regular operations.”
Debriefs were held between the Central Office and JHS administration the night of May 23rd. A second was held for all administrators on May 29th. Lech says they are using the lockdown as a learning experience, looking at things that were done well and areas that need improvement.
“Specifically, our primary areas revolve around improvement of communication between schools, improved cameras, enhanced monitoring systems that allow for observing past events while concurrently following what is occurring live, and consistency in process/protocols at all buildings,” he reported.
Lech says they will be reviewing all emergency procedures and protocols. While the lockdown and entire scenario happened quickly, he says he is proud of how the schools, staff, and local law enforcement responded.
“They truly did an incredible job. It was obvious, through this experience, that, at all levels, safety of staff and students is a priority. It also reinforces our commitment to regular drills. These issues are always situations and emotionally intense, but the training and experiences of conducting regular drills provides the practice necessary to put those best practices into action when it counts.”
You can read more about the lockdown here.
In other school board news, the fee schedule and school lunch prices for 2019-2020 were approved.
The board also approved the resignation of Katelynn Schwartzenberger as the Special Education Strategist at Lincoln Elementary and hire Makayla Orr as a teacher at Roosevelt Elementary and St. John’s Academy and Jessica Irey as the english teacher at North.