From the start, security and safety were built into the design of the $41.4 million M-CHS building. Features like its remote-controlled, self-locking doors have been retrofitted at schools across the nation. A similar system is in place at DHS.<\/p>\n
Durango School District 9-R<\/a> is considering asking for a $70 million bond issuance mainly for building maintenance but also for security and safety upgrades for its buildings.<\/p>\n Montezuma-Cortez Superintendent Lori Haukeness said the challenge is trying to upgrade schools, some dating to the 1950s, \u201cto incorporate safety designs while still providing students with openness that students should feel while being in school.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe upgrades needed are extremely costly and require reconstruction of some school areas,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n Fire drills were the most sophisticated emergency preparedness measure taken when Wayman attended high school. Now, he leads a school that\u2019s not too different than almost every school across the nation in conducting evacuation, lockout and lockdown drills.<\/p>\n Last year, M-CHS practiced an evacuation drill that involved a dozen law enforcement and fire agencies, then had feedback sessions so teachers and administrators could go over what they learned with law enforcement agencies and fire departments. Similar multi-agency drills and reviews are held in school districts across the country. District 9-R strives to conduct an in-depth, multi-agency drill every other year, and smaller drills are held several times a year.<\/p>\n Perhaps even more important than changes to building designs and security systems in schools is increased attention paid to the emotional and social needs of students.<\/p>\n Animas High School<\/a> Head of School Sean Woytek said developing strong relationships with students is key to preventing security threats that might germinate from within.<\/p>\n \u201cTrust between students teachers, staff and administrators is the best security and safety tool we have,\u201d he said. \u201cIt enfranchises students. It helps. You have problems when students feel disenfranchised, when they are disengaged and they don\u2019t want to be at school.\u201d<\/p>\n Alaina Wray, 15, a freshman at AHS, said the trust in relationships between students, teachers and staff provides her with the greatest assurance of security at school. Wray is the daughter of Jesse and Sandi Wray of Durango.<\/p>\n \u201cWe all know each other. We know the teachers. That\u2019s what makes me feel the safest,\u201d she said. \u201cThere aren\u2019t so many students that you won\u2019t recognize someone. There\u2019s no way someone wearing a hoodie could sneak in and blend in.\u201d<\/p>\n Kerwin Tom, 18, the son of Kerwin Tom Sr. and Gina Tom of Towaoc, said he appreciates the modern security features at M-CHS, but the school\u2019s best defense is its trust among students and teachers.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re small enough that you get a sense if something is wrong. If anyone sees anything wrong, they\u2019re going to point it out,\u201d he said. \u201cI feel pretty safe at school.\u201d<\/p>\n Kathy Morris, coordinator of safety and security at Durango School District 9-R, said the first effort in Colorado to help students deal with emotional needs, the state\u2019s Safe2Tell program, stems directly from Columbine.<\/p>\n \u201cAfter Columbine, the Secret Service did a thorough investigation and discovered 79% of the students knew something was going to happen, but they didn\u2019t talk to anyone,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n