Adding another level of security to classrooms in the district was discussed at the School Board meeting Thursday night.
RhinoWare, a device to keep doors closed in case of emergency, was presented to the board by CEO and inventor Ed Johnson. Johnson said his product is used at Fort Knox, airports, hospitals, universities and schools across 28 states.
“We’ve had teachers that would come up to our installers, literally tears in their eyes, [and say] ‘This is the very first day I’ve ever felt comfortable coming to work,’” Johnson said. “Having this on their doors, knowing that it’s there and and at the ready at a moment’s notice, gives them so much peace of mind.”
Superintendent Stu Moeckel said he liked the simplicity of the product and that anyone can use their hand or foot to engage the mechanism that keeps the door closed from the inside. Moeckel said he had been looking at another similar product but ultimately thought this one would fit the district’s needs better.
“I think it’s a nice line of defense, and certainly peace of mind for our staff, for our students,” Moeckel said.
To deactivate the mechanism, a senior resource officer or administrator will have a special breach tool to disengage the tool from the outside of the door. The locking mechanism sits into a plate on the floor to keep the door barricaded when it is activated.
“The objective that we had, and I’m going to have to leave the microphone, was to have a device that a kindergartner, 5 year old, hearing gunshots, can turn their classroom into a safe room, in one second,” Johnson said.
This equipment is also approved by the Kansas fire marshal, he said. The device is meant to give time and distance until law enforcement can arrive at the scene in the case of an emergency, he said. Teachers would be trained on the devices before they come back from winter break, Johnson said.
The company quoted the full installation and equipment to cost about $115,000. The cost would be included in bond funds for safety and security. Installation would take place over winter break. The board does not have to approve this item as it is already included in bond funding.
Board member Claire Harding said the district has multiple ways to keep staff and students safe, and this would be another piece of the entire safety plan.
In other business, Eudora Schools Foundation Executive Director Shanda Hurla presented GW and Kathy Weld with awards for Outstanding Cardinal Partners for both Cornerstone Property Management and Zeb’s Coffeehouse.
Board member Kelley Woods highlighted some of the contributions they have made to the foundation and all the schools in the district: supporting the summer reading program, donating to the Cardinal Care Program, hosting and donating to the school supply drive, and other contributions that show their dedication to support the district.
Hurla said in talking to the Welds, they said they are supporting youth today to help build a stronger community tomorrow. That’s why their commitment to partnering with the foundation is so important, she said.
“They believe that small businesses have to think about who their future employees, leaders and entrepreneurs are, and they believe that investing in the next generation is really important,” Hurla said.
GW Weld said they are grateful to have a foundation with such good initiatives that makes it so easy to invest in the community.
“This means a lot. It’s really special for us to both be honored together,” he said.
In other business, Director of Human Resources Amy Shanks presented the recent results from the staff engagement survey. About 160 staff members filled out the survey that ranged in topics from communication and relationships to safety and training.
Some of the results showed the following:
90% responded favorably to “I understand how my work directly contributes to the overall success of the district.”
71% answered favorably to “I can see a clear link between my work and the district’s continuous improvement plan.”
65% answered favorably to “Our school/department regularly celebrates our successes.”
67% responded favorably to “I have the training I need to do my job effectively.”
61% responded favorably to “I am provided opportunities for training and development that aligns without school/department goals.
83% responded favorably to “At work, I clearly understand what is expected of me.”
42% responded favorably to “I am given the opportunity to be involved in decisions that affect me. 27% responded neutrally to this statement.
87% responded favorably to “My principal/supervisor is accessible within a reasonable amount of time.”
Following the data, Moeckel presented an action plan to help increase lower scoring areas indicated in the survey. He said building staff would fill in their specific plans to address the areas needing improvement before they would be presented back to the board in a future meeting.
Director of School Improvement Heather Hundley shared that the district’s previously approved strategic plan will be housed and regularly updated on its own page on the school webpage. The page includes information on how the district is addressing specific goals, with graphs and data on how the district is making these steps. It includes details on how the district is focused on creating a culture of belonging, academic success and future preparedness for all students.
Moeckel also shared some updates on bond construction updates.
Here are photos provided in the presentation:
New classroom additions at the high school
New gym and weight room
New parking lot at high school
New signage for the ELC
High School Principal Bill DeWitt gave an update on the building as he continues his first year in the district. DeWitt said the school is beginning to think about a new strategic plan to help navigate goals.
He hopes to get more students involved in activities to reinforce the culture of belonging and help with excessive absences, he said. Making sure students receive teaching that engages them rather than task-centered learning is also a priority at the high school, he said.
The cross country team and girls golf were also highlighted at the meeting as being state qualifiers.
