Important Message for SBPS Families

Dear Scottsbluff Public Schools Families,

At Scottsbluff Public Schools, a safe and secure environment for students and staff is our top priority. Our commitment to a safe and secure environment is reflected in our plans, procedures, allocation of resources, and five-year strategic plan. We understand there is currently a heightened sense of worry and concern given the recent school shootings in Georgia and as close as Omaha, as well as information relating to such matters circulating on social media.

It is not my standard practice to lean into these next few sentences; however, at the current time, I feel it carries value. Some of you are aware that each day, alongside all of you, I have the privilege of sending two of my own children and my wife to Scottsbluff Public Schools. My purpose for sharing this is that when decisions are made and we handle the various situations in which we encounter, it should provide some degree of confidence and assurance that not only do I want the best for each and every one of your children and our staff, but I also want the same for my own.

I can assure you that Scottsbluff Public Schools is fully committed and works extremely hard to provide a safe and secure environment while continually focusing on evaluating and improving our practices and procedures. The following is a non-inclusive list of practices and investments we have made to ensure we are providing the safest and most secure environment for students and staff.

• In 2011, SBPS led the state in the implementation of the Standard Response Protocol.

• In 2021, we invested $670,000 in a modern surveillance and access control system that serves all buildings throughout the District. Since 2021, we have continued to enhance this system in areas of greatest need.

• SBPS employs a nine member in-house safety and security team that serves every school in the District.

• In addition to a secure entrance monitor at both SHS and BMS, we utilize the Raptor Alert system for monitoring visitors.

• SBPS invested $97,000 in Air Quality Device Smart Sensors to assist with building health monitoring, indoor air quality monitoring, vape and THC detection, gunshot detection, emergency keyword alerting, audible alerting, and more.

• SBPS developed a board-approved (annually) comprehensive Emergency Operations Plan.

• A comprehensive threat assessment process is in place that includes a team that meets weekly to thoroughly review any threats that may have been made.

• We work closely with local law enforcement to fully investigate any reports, threats, and concerns. All comments made regarding school violence are taken seriously, even those made “as a joke”. Each report is investigated fully, subject to a formal threat assessment process, and students can face school and legal consequences for making threatening comments or statements online or in person.

• Target hardening is installed on identified doors and windows throughout the District.

• SBPS provides students and parents with two options for anonymous reporting. We encourage everyone to report any concerning behavior that raises suspicion or concern to a staff member at your student’s school, the Scottsbluff Police Department (SPD), or through the See It, Say It, Send It app or Safe2Help Nebraska.

• In partnership with the Scottsbluff Police Department, we have two School Resource Officers serving our district and value a highly collaborative relationship with SPD.

• SBPS employs eight licensed mental health practitioners across the District.

• In August of 2024, Scottsbluff Public Schools was recognized with the Diamond Badge Certification. This is the highest distinction, by the Nebraska Department of Education for our school safety and security efforts and procedures.

• Again, this year, we will coordinate a community-wide emergency response simulation which will be held on October 8th.

At the end of the day, our number one protection against school violence is to ensure we are cultivating an environment where students feel comfortable reporting something that they may have seen or heard to a trusted adult. The incidents that prompted the letters that were distributed to parents of students at SHS and BMS on Tuesday were the exact results of this type of reporting. Fortunately, both reports were unfounded.

At Scottsbluff Public Schools, we remain committed to providing timely and complete information and will continue to do all that is within our power to keep our students and staff safe. And, while sadly nothing can ever be fully guaranteed, most importantly, we understand that our work in this area is never done. We must continue to stay abreast with the latest trends and threats and conduct ongoing training in this crucial area.

Thank you for your partnership in ensuring a safe school community for our students and staff. If your child needs additional support, please do not hesitate to contact your school. For more information about Safety and Security at Scottsbluff Public Schools, please visit Safety and Security - Scottsbluff Public Schools.

Sincerely,