SCHOOL SAFETY AUDIT CHECKLIST

SCHOOL EXTERIOR AND PLAY AREAS

YES

NO

IMPLEMENT

IMPROVE

1. School grounds are fenced.

• If yes, approximate height

• There is one clearly marked and designated entrance for visitors

• Signs are posted for visitors to report to main office through a designated entrance.

• Restricted areas are clearly marked

• Shrubs and foliage are trimmed to allow for good line of sight. (3'-0"/8'-0" rule)

• All poisonous shrubs, trees, and foliage have been removed.

• Shrubs near building have been trimmed "up" to allow view of bottom of building

• Bus loading and drop-off zones are clearly defined.

• Access to bus loading area is restricted to other vehicles during loading/unloading.

• Staff is assigned to bus loading/drop off areas.

• There is a schedule for maintenance of:

SCHOOL SAFETY AUDIT CHECKLIST

SCHOOL EXTERIOR

YES

NO

IMPLEMENT

IMPROVE

1. Parent drop-off and pick-up area is clearly defined.

• There is adequate lighting around the building.

• Lighting is provided at entrances and other points of possible intrusion.

• The school ground is free from trash or debris.

• The school is free of graffiti.

• Play areas are fenced.

• Playground equipment has tamper-proof fasteners

• Visual surveillance of bicycle racks is possible.

• Visual surveillance of parking lots from main office is possible

• Parking lot is lighted properly and all lights are functioning

• Accessible lenses are protected by some unbreakable material

• All areas of school buildings and grounds are accessible to patrolling security vehicles.

• Driver education vehicles are secure.

• Students/Staff are issued parking stickers for assigned parking areas

• Student access to parking area is restricted to arrival and dismissal times.

• Staff and visitor parking has been designated

• Outside hardware has been removed from all doors except at points of entry.

• Ground floor windows:

SCHOOL SAFETY AUDIT CHECKLIST

SCHOOL EXTERIOR

YES

NO

IMPLEMENT

IMPROVE

• Basement windows are protected with grill or well cover.

• Doors are locked when classrooms are vacant.

• High-risk areas are protected by high security locks and an alarm system

• Unused areas of the school can be closed off during after school activities.

• There is two-way communication between the main office and:

• Students are restricted from loitering in corridors, hallways, and restrooms.

• "Restricted" areas are properly identified.

• There are written regulations restricting student access to school grounds and buildings.

* * * * * * * *

SCHOOL SAFETY AUDIT CHECKLIST

SCHOOL INTERIOR

YES

NO

IMPLEMENT

IMPROVE

1. There is a central alarm system in the school. If yes, briefly describe:

• The main entrance is visible from the main office.

• There is only one clearly marked and designated entrance for visitors.

• Multiple entries to the building are controlled and supervised.

• Administrative staff maintain a highly visible profile

• Signage directing visitors to the main office are clearly posted

• Visitors are required to sign in.

• Visitors are issued I.D. cards or badges.

• Proper identification is required of vendors, repairmen.

• All staff - Full and part-time staff are issued ID cards that is worn in a manner that is visible

• The following areas are properly lighted:

• Hallways and Bathrooms are supervised by staff.

• The bathroom walls are free of graffiti.

• Doors accessing internal courtyards are securely locked from the inside

• Exit signs are clearly visible and pointing in the correct direction.

• Switches and controls are properly located and protected.

• Access to electrical panels is restricted.

• The possibility of lower energy consumption and high lighting levels with more efficient light sources has been explored.

• Directional lights are aimed at the building.

SCHOOL SAFETY AUDIT CHECKLIST

SCHOOL INTERIOR

YES

NO

IMPLEMENT

IMPROVE

• School files and records are maintained in locked, vandal proof, fireproof containers or vaults.

• The school maintains a record of all maintenance on doors, windows, lockers, or other areas of he school.

• If a classroom is vacant, students are restricted from entering the room alone.

• Friends, relatives or non-custodial parents are required to have written permission to pick up a student from school.

• Students are required to have written permission to leave school during school hours.

• Full and part-time staff including bus drivers are issued I.D. cards or other identification.

• There are written regulations regarding access and control of school personnel using the building after school hours.

• Staff members who remain after school hours are required to sign out.

• Faculty members are required to lock classrooms upon leaving.

• One person is designated to perform the following security checks at the end of day:

• The telephone numbers of the principal or other designated contact person are provided to the police department so the police can make contact in the event of a suspicious or emergency situation.

SCHOOL SAFETY AUDIT CHECKLIST

SCHOOL INTERIOR

YES

NO

IMPLEMENT

IMPROVE

• Law enforcement personnel and/or community residents monitor school grounds after school hours.

• All school equipment is permanently marked with an Identification Number.

• An up-to-date inventory is maintained for all expendable school supplies.

• Secure storage is available for valuable items

• There is a policy for handling cash received at the school.

• There is regular maintenance and/or testing of the entire security alarm system at least every six months.

• Are classrooms numbered with reflective material:

• Has consideration been given to replacing interior doors with large windows to doors with small windows

• Has consideration been given to replacing present classroom locks with locks that can be activated from the inside

• Does the P.A. system work properly

• Has consideration been given to establishing a greeters window inside first set of exterior doors

• Are convex mirrors used to see around corners in hallways

• Are convex mirrors used to see up and down stairwells

SCHOOL INTERIOR

YES

NO

IMPLEMENT

IMPROVE

• Do all exterior doors have signs requiring visitors to report to the main office to sign in and obtain I.D.

• Has consideration been given to installing Proximity Readers on certain exterior doors

• Has consideration been given to installing strobe lights or flashing lights on exterior of building to warn staff and students outside of problems

• How do you communicate during emergencies

• Who is issued two way radios

• There is a control system in place to monitor keys and duplicates.

• Exterior light fixtures are securely mounted.

• Mechanical rooms and hazardous storage areas are locked.

• Fire drills are conducted as required by New York Education Law

• A record of health permits is maintained.

• A record of Fire Inspection by the local or state Fire Officer is maintained.

* * * * * * * *

DEVELOPMENT / ENFORCEMENT OF POLICIES

YES

NO

IMPLEMENT

IMPROVE

1. The Student Conduct Policy is reviewed and updated annually.

• A visitor policy is in effect, requiring a sign-in procedure for all visitors, including visible identification.

• The school has a Crisis Management Plan in effect that is reviewed and updated annually.

• The Incident Command System is an integral part of the Safety Plan.

• A chain-of-command has been established for the school when the principal and/or other administrators are away from the building.

• The school has implemented pro-active security measures on campus, at school-sponsored activities, and on all school property (i.e., school buses).

• Disciplinary consequences for infractions to the Code of Conduct are fairly and consistently enforced.

• Parents are an integral part of student discipline procedures and actions.

• Alternatives to suspensions and expulsions have been built into the discipline policy and are consistently used.

• Behavioral expectations and consequences for violations are clearly outlined in the Code of Conduct, including sanctions for weapon and drug offenses and all other criminal acts.

• Parents are an integral part of the schools safety planning and policy making.

• Parents are an integral part of students discipline procedures and actions.

• The policy provides a system(s) whereby staff and students may report problems or incidents anonymously.

• Specific policies and/or procedures are in place that detail staff members’ responsibilities for monitoring and supervising students outside the classroom, such as in hallways, cafeteria, rest rooms, etc.

• The school has implemented a pro-active policy regarding parental actions during sporting events.

* * * * * * * * * * *

PROCEDURES FOR DATA COLLECTION

YES

NO

IMPLEMENT

IMPROVE

1. All Violations of state and federal law are reported to law enforcement.

• An incident reporting procedure for disruptive and violent students has been established in accordance with the SAVE Legislation requirements.

• Records or data have been established and are analyzed to identify recurring problems.

• Accident reports are filed when a student is injured on school property or during school-related activities.

• The incident reporting system is reviewed and updated annually.

* * * * * * * * * * *

INTERVENTION AND PREVENTION PLANS

YES

NO

IMPLEMENT

IMPROVE

1. Students have access to conflict resolution programs.

• Students are assisted in developing anger management skills.

• Diversity awareness is emphasized.

• Programs are available for students who are academically at-risk.

• Students may seek help without the loss of confidentiality.

• Students and parents are aware of community resources.

• Character education is taught as part of the curriculum in accordance with the SAVE Legislation requirements.

* * * * * * * * * * *

STAFF DEVELOPMENT

YES

NO

IMPLEMENT

IMPROVE

1. Administrators and staff (including security and law enforcement personnel) are trained in conflict resolution methods.

• Administrators and staff (including security and law enforcement personnel) are trained in implementation of the Crisis Management Plan.

• Administrators and staff are trained in personal safety.

• School security officers (NOT law enforcement) receive in-service training for their responsibilities.

STAFF DEVELOPMENT

YES

NO

IMPLEMENT

IMPROVE

• School Resource Officers (law enforcement) receive in-service training for their responsibilities.

• School volunteers receive training to perform their duties.

• Teachers and staff are made aware of their legal responsibilities for the enforcement of safety rules, policies, and state and federal laws.

• School safety and violence prevention information is regularly provided as part staff development plan in accordance with the SAVE Legislation requirements

• Staff development opportunities extend to support staff, including cafeteria workers, custodial staff, secretarial staff, and bus drivers.

* * * * * * * * * * *

OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENT INVOLVEMENT

YES

NO

IMPLEMENT

IMPROVE

1. Students are represented on the School Safety Team.

• The school provides opportunities for student leadership related to violence prevention and safety issues.

• The school provides adequate recognition opportunities for all students.

• Students are adequately instructed in their responsibility to avoid becoming victims of violence (i.e., by avoiding high-risk situations, etc.).

* * * * * * * * * * *

LEVEL OF PARENT AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

YES

NO

IMPLEMENT

IMPROVE

1. The community supports the school’s programs and activities that teach safety and non-violence.

• School activities, services, and curricula reflect the characteristics of the students and the community.

• School safety planning reflects the neighborhood, including crime and hazardous conditions.

• Parents are an integral part of the school’s safety planning and policymaking.

• Parents are aware of behavioral expectations and are informed of changes in a timely manner.

• Local businesses and other community groups are involved in the school’s safety planning.

* * * * * * * * * * *

ROLE OF LAW ENFORCEMENT

YES

NO

IMPLEMENT

IMPROVE

1. Incidents of crime that occur on school property or at school-related events are reported to law enforcement.

• Law Enforcement is consulted on matters that may fall below the threshold of criminal activity.

• Law enforcement personnel are an integral part of the school’s safety planning process.

• The school has developed an effective partnership with local law enforcement.

• The school and local law enforcement have developed an agreement of understanding, defining the roles and responsibilities of both.

• Law enforcement personnel provide a visible presence on campus during school hours and at school-related events.

• Local law enforcement provides after hours patrols of the school site.

* * * * * * * * * * *

DEVELOPMENT OF A CRISIS MANAGEMENT PLAN

YES

NO

IMPLEMENT

IMPROVE

1. The school has a Crisis Management Plan.

of the SAVE Legislation

2. The school has established a well-coordinated emergency plan with law enforcement and other crisis response agencies.

• Categories listed in the plan should include, but may not be limited to, the following:

• The following components of the Crisis Management Plan are practiced on a quarterly basis

* * * * * * * * * * *

STANDARDS FOR SECURITY PERSONNEL

YES

NO

IMPLEMENT

IMPROVE

1. This school does employ security personnel.

• Pre-employment background checks are conducted for security personnel.

• School security personnel meet a standard for training and qualifications as mandated by New York State.

• Security personnel have clearly defined roles and responsibilities.

• Security personnel are involved in the school’s safe school planning process.

• Security personnel are knowledgeable about youth service providers, both in and out of the school.