A security assessment of its two school buildings by an outside consultant is expected to be completed by the end of July for Butler Elementary District 53.
Superintendent Paul O’Malley said Monday that the District 53 board likely will hear a report from P4 Security Solutions of Downers Grove at its Aug. 9 meeting.
O’Malley said the May 24 shootings in Uvalde, Texas at which 18-year-old Salvador Ramos fatally shot 19 students and two teachers, and wounded 17 other people, prompted the District 53 board to decide it was time to reassess the security of Butler Junior High and of Brook Forest School.
“The timing for this actually fits very well with the summer work we’ve been doing at our buildings, which includes safety such as new, more secure entrances into the buildings,” O’Malley said.
The District 53 board signed a contract in June for not more than $5,000 with P4 Solutions to assess building security and make recommendations for improvements. The company also may follow up by conducting professional development with teachers and staff.
O’Malley said District 53 staff has been working with the Village of Oak Brook and the Oak Brook Police Department to always look for the best ways to keep everyone in the two schools safe.
A recent joint letter to District 53 families and staff from the district and the Oak Brook Police Department mentioned the partnership between the two entities.
“Our number one priority remains unchanged — the safety and security of our children, staff, and families,” the letter stated.
The letter went on to state that District 53 and the Oak Brook Police Department have been proactive in crisis planning efforts, crisis response protocols, and physical enhancements to safety and security measures within the school buildings.
“Together, the school district and police department collaborate on the annual review of their Crisis Response and School District Safety Plans, conduct safety drills, with and without students in the building, and continue to meet regularly throughout the year.
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“Building upon the physical safety and security measures already deployed throughout our school buildings within classrooms and offices, the district’s Capital Vision Improvement Project prioritizes safe and secure vestibules and entrances to our school buildings,” the letter stated.
In addition, the District 53 Department of Buildings and Grounds and Oak Brook police collaborate with the DuPage Regional Office of Education through professional development, conferences dedicated to school safety and threat assessments, as well as sharing best practices among colleagues from across the state.
“We continue to strive for unity within our community, and we are mutually grateful for the partnership between the school district and police department,” the letter stated.
The Oak Brook Police Department has a visible presence in Butler Junior High and Brook Forest School on a weekly basis and participates in many school events.
The two consultants that have been conducing the security assessment — Raymond J. McGury and Tony Ramos — have conducted security assessments and have developed emergency plans for many clients, including schools, businesses, factories, high-rise buildings and airlines.
The assessment at the District 53 schools includes an in-depth examination of the following: access controls, alarms and camera systems, emergency planning and training, evacuation/shelter in place/lockdown plans and training, external threat analysis, fire/safety equipment, mass notification procedures, physical vulnerability, security operations, social media and “dark web” threat monitoring and workplace violence plans and training.
Chuck Fieldman is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.