VICTORVILLE — Preventing intruders from entering schools was the focus of discussion at the San Bernardino County Civil Grand Jury’s meeting on school safety Tuesday evening.
Grand Jury Foreman Pro Tem Clentis Flournoy said the purpose of the meeting, held at Silverado High School’s Performing Arts Center, was to solicit “thoughts and concerns on how to improve the safety of your students while they are at school.”
Grand Jury member John Groff told the audience their comments, written anonymously on cards turned over the Grand Jury, might lead to programs that promote school safety.
In addition to nine of the 19 Grand Jury members, just three members of the public showed up at the meeting.
Adelanto’s Mayor Pro Tem, Stevevonna Evans, was there with her two sons. One son, Cameren, is a freshman at Silverado.
Evans suggested a barrier such as the guard shack that stood at Silverado’s front gate when she attended the high school in the early 2000′s might increase safety for the students.
A woman who spoke but chose not to identify herself said she was concerned that schools weren’t communicating their safety plans with those who might be most affected.
“How do we get our schools prepared and share that with parents so they are comfortable that number one, my kids are safe, and I know to go there and pick them up and not become a problem, but become part of the solution?” she asked.
Victorville Sheriff’s Captain Rick Bessinger said “the chaos that ensues” an active shooter incident is a major problem for officers.
As deputies arrive on the scene, Bessinger said, “you’ve got hundred of parents, and maybe, depending on the school, just as many kids all coming out onto the campus, and we’re trying to find out who the good guys and bad guys are. That’s a recipe for disaster,” he said.
The California Department of Education requires every school to have a comprehensive safety plan, including an assessment of school crime, child abuse reporting procedures and anti-bullying policies.
The plan also must include earthquake emergency procedures and a school building disaster plan. The disaster plan may include drills and procedures for such scenarios as a bomb threat, fire, active intruder, and lockdowns but aren’t mandated other than for an earthquake.
Victor Valley Union High School District spokesman Kris Reilly confirmed the California Schools Boards Association only recommends lockdown procedures, but education code does not require them.
VVUHSD has conducted several active shooter practice scenarios, he said.
According to VVUHSD Risk Manager Kathleen Hardy, her district follows education code protocols concerning safety plans “very carefully.” Such mandates require having a safety plan for each individual school that must be written and developed by a school site council who consulted with a law enforcement representative.
The plans must be evaluated and amended as needed at least once a year and sent to the school district office, said Hardy.
A woman who identified herself only as a retired manager with the County’s Office of Emergency Services said she was concerned that Hesperia Unified School District, where her grandchildren attend school, isn’t ready to deal with a violent situation.
She said the district’s safety plans were essentially “stamped,” staff were unclear on their roles in a possible incident, and drills are not being practiced.
Hesperia Unified School District did not immediately respond to a Daily Press request for comment Wednesday.
Juror Melinda Ferguson told the audience at the beginning of the meeting that members could not “share the extent of the investigation that precipitated this meeting.” Grand Jury proceedings and investigations are confidential until reports are issued.
Foreman Jim Moore said he was unaware of another instance in which the Grand Jury held a similar public meeting to hear from residents, according to a previous Daily Press story.
According to the County website, the Civil Grand Jury is the only local, independent “watchdog” investigative body with the power to delve into and report on local governments, which includes special districts such as schools. Its 19 citizens are volunteers who serve a one-year term.
There have been at least 417 incidents of gunfire on school grounds nationwide since 2013, according to Everytown for Gun Safety, a non-profit advocacy group.
This year, there have been at least 12 incidents so far that have resulted in 3 deaths.
A 17-year-old high school senior was shot and killed in a Northern California elementary school parking lot in the most recent incident in the state.
February 13, 2019
Daily Press
By Martin Estacio
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