In BCPS, several strong safety practices are in place:
- Where logistically possible, schools have secure entrances that require visitors to be routed to the office and be allowed into the school only after determining that there is a legitimate need and a background check has been run on the visitor’s driver’s license against the state and national sex offender registry.
- All middle and high schools have a School Resource Officer assigned by the Bedford County Sheriff’s Department. These officers also visit and consult with elementary schools and the BCPS career and technical and alternative education centers.
- All staff computers are equipped to contact the sheriff’s department directly to enable a response to emergency situations that is quicker than dialing 911.
- All schools have digital surveillance cameras that allow for monitoring of school buildings and grounds.
- School administrators, counselors, and other staff are trained to conduct threat assessments on any threats made against students or staff. This training is research based and includes immediate decision making guidance and long term monitoring of students making and receiving threats.
- All schools develop comprehensive emergency response plans to engage staff in thinking through risks to school safety and plans for preventing, responding to, and recovering from dangerous incidents.
- Annually, school leaders engage in training in emergency response strategies.
- Students and staff practice lockdown, evacuation, and weather related safety procedures regularly.
- Every three years, teams of school and law enforcement staff conduct school safety inspections that result in recommendations for improvements in the buildings and grounds to address safety and security concerns.
- BCPS has a Safety Advisory Team that includes school staff, central office staff, local first responders, parents, and students. The team meets quarterly to review existing safety and security practices and give feedback for future improvements.
- BCPS and the Bedford County Sheriff's Office maintain a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that outlines roles, responsibilities, and procedures for our work together. This MOU is available at the following link: 2023-2024 MOU BCPD and BCSO.
- BCPS and the Bedford Policy Department maintain a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that outlines roles, responsibilities, and procedures for our work together. This MOU is available at the following link: 2023-2024 MOU BPD
- Our secondary schools use the STOPit anonymous reporting app to allow students and other school community members to report concerning issues. Reports can be made via app or at this the STOPit webpage.
For more information contact:
Scott Simmons
Safety and Security Manager
[email protected]