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Current Safety and Security Measures

Safety and security measures currently in place include:

  • District Safety and Security Committee, which includes employees and emergency responders, meets on a regular basis to review safety needs and plans for emergencies.

    • All procedures are researched and based on best practices.

  • Partnerships with local emergency responders (Grand Forks Police Department, Grand Forks Fire Department, Grand Forks Sheriff’s Office, etc.) and collaboration for meetings, training, and planning.

    • "Handle with Care Program" in cooperation with the Grand Forks Police Department.

    • School Resource Officers (SROs) on staff at middle and high schools.

    • Grand Forks Police Department Text-A-Tip program.

  • All employees have had a background check and wear photo identification badges.

  • Department of Homeland Security building audits.

  • School safety plans and emergency response procedures, including Hide, Run, Fight.

  • School Emergency Response Team at each school, which includes ongoing training.

  • Presence of first aid kits, fire extinguishers, AED machines, bleeding control stations, and Narcan®.

  • Schools have personnel trained in CPR, First Aid, and the use of the materials directly above.

  • Building access protocols

    • Video push-to-talk systems at all elementary schools, middle schools, and Grand Forks Central High School.

    • Keyless entry is installed at all elementary, middle, and high schools.

    • Visitor sign-in procedures at all elementary, middle, and high schools.

    • Signage regarding building access is posted on exterior doors.

  • Regularly held emergency response drills with students and employees.

    • North Dakota Century Code requires fire, tornado, and other emergency or disaster drills, including lockdown drills.

  • Security cameras are located throughout all buildings.

  • Employee training is held during employee meetings to orient employees to their roles and responsibilities during an emergency situation.

  • Threat Assessment process.

    • If an employee has concerns about the behavior or emotional state of a student, they make a referral to a school administrator. The administrator will then investigate the referral to determine the appropriate course of action. If deemed necessary, a threat assessment is conducted by a school school team with input from a mental health professional.

  • Mental Health page is located on the district and school websites under “Students."

  • Electronic mass notification system - includes website, telephone, email, SMS/text messaging, and smartphone app to communicate with stakeholders quickly using multiple channels. 

  • Development of a comprehensive District Emergency Manual over 15 years ago.

    • Updated annually and compiled through research of best practices from the U.S. Department of Education, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and the Secret Service.

  • Development of a comprehensive Crisis Response Manual.

    • Updated annually and compiled through research of best practices from the American School Counselor Association (ASCA), American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC), as well as school crisis response manuals from school systems across the United States.

Employee Supports, Preventions, and Interventions

  • Professional Assault Crisis Training (Pro-ACT) is offered multiple times throughout the year for general and special education employees. This training provides a framework and principles for responding to the behavioral needs of students.

  • Professional development is provided on Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), Trauma-Sensitive Schools, and suicide prevention and intervention.

  • Prevent-Teach-Reinforce (PTR) training increases the capacity of special education employees to create and implement effective behavioral support plans and functional behavioral assessments.

  • Special education employees hold monthly meetings at all school sites to provide technical assistance and direct support for employees with students having behavioral needs.

  • State Systemic Improvement Plan (SSIP) has been initiated to focus on the use of evidence-based practices for students with behavioral, social-emotional, and mental health needs. 

  • Grand Forks School Board policy on Restraint and Seclusion is based on guidance from the National School Board Association. This information is reviewed and updated to include new legislation.

    • Seclusion And Restraint Procedures (SARP) are in place, and a committee reviews the SARP protocol, data, and cases, with data being reported to the state of North Dakota.

  • Ukeru Systems®, a national crisis intervention program that offers alternatives to the use of restraints/seclusion by using trauma-informed care. Training is offered multiple times throughout the year for special education and general education staff members.

Student Supports, Preventions, and Interventions

  • Integrated curriculum and programs that have been proven to increase school safety, including:

    • Bullying Prevention Program

    • Digital Citizenship

    • Social-Emotional Learning lessons

    • Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS).

  • Individual student safety plans are developed which reinforce teaching self-regulation and behavior replacement strategies. Families are included in the creation of these plans.

  • Alternate spaces are available to allow students to reset during dysregulation.

  • The SAIL (Social and Academic Intervention Learning) Center provides an alternate setting for students who benefit from a smaller setting, where an emphasis on increased support for emotional and behavioral needs is provided on an individual basis.

  • Multi-Tiered Support Systems - both Academic and Behavioral.

  • Behavior Facilitators specifically support special education students with the most complex behavioral needs.

Employee Additions

  • Elementary Behavior Facilitators assist with observations, create behavior plans, and train paraeducators and teachers

  • Increased the number of Social Workers,

  • Substance Abuse Counselor,

  • Mental Health Coordinator,

  • School Mental Health Therapists,

  • Safety and Security Manager.

Updated 4-4-2023

Additional Information