KPS addresses school safety concerns

By Everett Brazil, III

The Newkirk Herald Journal

KILDARE — What started as a simple accident could have led to a disaster for Kildare Public School (KPS) students and faculty. An exterior door left open at the gym to simply circulate air in the large room could have unknowingly admitted an active shooter. The only person who actually walked through the door Friday morning, Aug. 23, however, was a Kay County Sheriff Deputy, who worked with KPS to increase security, and bring home the message of safety, and vigilance about intruders.

The school went into lockdown early that morning. Following the all-clear sign, Superintendent-Principal Bruce Shelly sits down to reiterate the need for school safety.

“Before school started, the Kay County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) did intruder training with all our staff,” he said. “We had an intruder drill, and the KCSO helped us.”
The help came from Deputy Jenkins, who walked the halls and classrooms of the school, as Shelley guided him on current safety proceedings. Some classrooms had safety rooms where they can lock the doors from the inside to keep intruders out, and other areas of the school had saferooms with hiding spots away from the eyes of the shooters.

“The KCSO thought we were in good shape, if we ever actually had an intruder,” Shelley said.

They also received advice in increasing safety, such as hiding spots for students eating lunch in the cafeteria.

“The KCSO told us, when you have an intruder, you have to go by instinct,” he said. “That’s why we have to train, so everyone’s following the same routine. It’s still important to have the safety drills and planning in place.”