LCSD1 talks about students and school security

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (Wyoming News Now) - In light of the tragedy in Uvalde, Texas, this week, Wyoming schools are looking at their own schools’ security.

With local authorities preparing for the unthinkable, we spoke to LCSD1 officials to better understand what they are doing to help students and staff stay safe.

Heavy-hearted by the recent tragedy in Texas, LCSD1 officials are reigniting the conversation locally around school safety.

”I think as a community we connect with all the other schools throughout the country. When we hear this go on, it hits us, all of us a little close. But also those are the things that help drive us, to ensure that we do everything in our power that it doesn’t happen here in our school district,” said Todd DePorter, Safety and Security Program Administrator, LCSD1.

Porter was hired in February specifically to improve security and find areas of improvement.

He measures and coordinates the county’s layered security systems, such as cameras, alarms, and visitor protocol, on top of previous security systems, including staff and students training and various drills for weather, fire or lockdown emergencies.

”Those are the things that help drive us to ensure that we do everything in our power that it doesn’t happen here in our school district,” said DePorter.

The district also provides school law enforcement officers and mental health resources, according to administrators, to provide a barrier of protection for students and a place to share the pain.

”What we can learn from others that go through a tragedy like this is always going to be seen as how we can better practice in our school district and our schools across Cheyenne,” said Jim Fraley, Assistant Super Intendent of Instruction, LCSD1.

“Any life that is lost is enough and too much. What our work is in educating our youth is making sure they have a safe place to be. No matter what else is happening and what static is occurring outside and conversations above and beyond the educational experience. Our number one responsibility is to make sure that we have, to the best of our ability, every single aspect covered so that our students not only feel safe but are safe,” said Dr. Margaret Crespo, Super Intendent of Instruction, LCSD1.

Administrators mentioned the additional programs of ‘safe to tell’ and ‘say something see something’ as more tools to round out community safety efforts.

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