ATHOL — If there is a gun-related incident at any Athol school, members of the local police department will storm into the building to protect innocents.
Chief Russell Kleber assured parents of this while speaking at an Athol-Royalston Regional School Committee meeting this week.
Kleber gave a brief presentation this week on the KIDS (Keeping Innocents Defended and Safe) plan, noting, “We get paid to protect your schools and that’s what we’re going to do.”
Kleber said the Feb. 14 school shooting in Parkland, Fla., “hit me differently.”
“We have to do more. We have to stop this. We must protect the students, the teachers and administrators,” he said.
School Resource Officer Doug Kaczmarczyk works full-time in the schools, and Kleber said the department is stepping up its presence, but at random times.
“You’ll never know when we’ll be around,” he said.
The chief gave a safety presentation at the high school the week before this school committee meeting, and school officials are being consulted as to what type of information to present to the youngest school children.
“We do not want to cause trauma to the kids,” he said. “We are here to help.”
Kleber touched on the KIDS presentation given in the schools, as well as the merits of the ALICE (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evacuate) program. He asked attendees to think about their responsibilities, as well as the students’ responsibilities.
“Do the kids have a responsibility? They sure do,” he said. “See something, say something.”
Kleber noted teachers know their students, and when they are having a bad day.
“That’s critical,” he said.
He referred to the incident at Athol High School that set the schools into protective mode the previous week. A direct threat was made to students on social media platforms by a student under the age of 18. The local police immediately responded — Kaczmarczyk was already inside the high school — and Kleber called the State Police, which dispatched troopers to cover the other schools.
“We have special training,” said Kleber. “I feel pretty good about what we can do and how to keep your children safe. If you ever need us, call.”
He also invited everyone to call him directly at the police station.
The student who made the threat will not return to Athol High.
School Superintendent Darcy Fernandes said two students notified officials of a video and photos found on social media.
“We see there’s a threat,” she said, noting the first priority is students’ safety. “We secured the schools first. Once we had a plan to secure the individual, we sent an email and contacted parents.”
She noted in these days of “instant media” and cellphones, students had contacted their parents before the administration could.
“Because of technology, the information got out before we could get it out,” she said.
Fernandes said the district is using recommendations from the Massachusetts Task Force for School Safety and Security, in tandem with the police department’s recommendations, to review and revise the district safety plan. It has two parts: Whole School Protocols, and Run, Hide, Fight.
She noted their “shelter in place” means teachers can continue classroom activities.
Schools are put into “lockdown” when the threat is in the building.
“We didn’t lock down the high school, because there was no danger there. We didn’t want to put the kids into a nervous panic,” she said. “We knew the threat was from outside, and all the police officers had a photo of the individual (who made the threat.)”
She said once the school was secured, all teachers were contacted to be informed of the situation. Parents were then contacted. She referred to the Houston model, and showed a brief video reenactment recorded in Alabama — Run. Hide. Fight. The strategy consists of three parts: Run (have an escape route planned. Leave your belongings behind), Hide (following lockdown procedures, hide out of the shooter’s view. Block entry to your hiding place and lock the doors, silence your cellphone), and Fight. Students and adults are encouraged, as a last resort, to try to incapacitate a shooter if the criminal has made it past all lines of defense. Weapons can be improvised and people should be prepared to throw objects to incapacitate the shooter.. Be aware of your environment and have an exit plan. It was noted that if evacuation is not possible, search for a hiding place.
Fernandes said the district’s faculty and staff went through the instruction and watched the video. Substitute teachers will be trained next week. Red protocol sheets will be placed throughout the schools. Fernandes said part of the instruction involved a video featuring Parkland students commenting on the Feb. 14 incident in which a teacher was shot and killed.
“Our staff is clear on what to do,” said Fernandes. “Students speaking up is essential.”
Crisis teams have been formed and she noted each school will conduct mock drills. One parent asked about access to the high school, noting “doors are often left propped open,” and asked whether there are cameras in the building.
Fernandes said the custodial staff checks the doors, and that particular door is now secure. The front door requires visitors to be buzzed in. There are cameras throughout the building, including the front and cafeteria, and next year’s budget may allow for more. Fernandes reminded attendees a question at the April 2 town election pertains to a grant that can be used to install a new roof, boiler, windows and doors, which will make the building more secure.
“I would appreciate that support,” she said.
One parent asked what happens in the event of an evacuation and the children cannot get back into the building. Fernandes said the district is examining designated places to go. Currently, Athol Community Elementary School students go to Athol-Royalston Middle School and the reverse, and students in Royalston have a designated building to report to. All these details are being worked out, Fernandes said.
She said the majority of the classrooms lock from the inside, but the doors in the hallways are subject to fire code regulations.
“We will look into that,” Fernandes said.
It was noted that Kaczmarczyk is only one man and cannot be at all the schools. Royalston has a DARE officer.
Fernandes said, “We are moving closer to what we need. But we need funding to make it happen,” Fernandes said.
One parent asked if Kaczmarczyk carries a gun. He answered, “Yes.” and Kleber asked, “Why wouldn’t he?”
A parent pointed out “You train 8-year-olds for fire drills. When are you training them for this?”
She was told the district is relying on the principals to devise an age-appropriate presentation.
“We are trying to figure that out,” she said.
The district is also working on a plan, which will be shared with parents, for one place they can go for the most up-to-date information on a situation.
“What we consider a threat and what the federal agencies see as a threat are different,” Fernandes said. “We can only suspend or expel. Anything beyond that we rely on the outside agencies.”