Committee explores new safety measures in D51

Just three weeks in and the newly formed school safety committee for District 51 says to expect changes.

Members are being faced with a lot of different options for school security. 

Every week the group is getting together.  Members are sharing what they think can and should be done to keep students safe.

While some of the ideas may seem extreme, the safety committee says, nothing is being ruled out.

"In this committee we've been charged with thinking outside of the box,” Tim Leon, D51 Director of Safety and Transpiration, said.  “There will be some changes that come out of this."

They’re talking procedures, evacuations, threat assessment, and even the hot topics like armed volunteers in school.

The school safety committee is a combination of district staff and representatives from all areas of the community.

Leon says, "We are coming together in the middle."

Until the group presents its ideas to the school board, members are asked to keep the conversation within the committee.

Local authorities say, at this stage, none of the ideas are being endorsed or disapproved of, rather they're just being placed on the table for further discussion.

"We’re making a lot of progress. We’re getting to the point where we only have a few more presentations,” Leon said.  “We are going to start putting together a package to present to the board."

"Several of the ideas will be implemented from the group. It’s just, what form will it look like?"

The safety committee will present to the school board on March 19th.

Until then, it'll continue to meet every Monday.