School Security Getting a Closer Look

State education and county law enforcement officials are hoping to create streamlined emergency response plans for schools, in the wake of the shooting death at Sandy Hook Elementary School, in Newtown, Conn.

At Monday's Watchung Hills Regional Board of Education meeting, Superintendent Frances Stromsland reported on a March 1 meeting of local school officials with members of the New Jersey Department of Education's Office of School Preparedness and the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office. Dr. Stromsland said the officials want to compile information on schools' emergency plans in order to create uniform responses to potential threats.

"It was discussed, and agreed upon, that there needs to be more uniformity in response measures that should be taken by schools," Dr. Stromsland said. She said "good direction from these agencies" would go a long way towards establishing "better internal and exterior consistency of response."

She said the officials are particularly focused on developing consistent responses throughout schools anytime there may be "an active shooter."

Local police and emergency responders hold periodic training sessions in schools to train for such possibilities, and the state and county planning would liek to establish standard practices. Dr. Stromsland said the plans would be developed in conjunction with local school and police officials.

Dr. Stromsland said the Office of School Preparedness representatives will be observing local police "active shooter" training sessions, as well as school security personnel.

The meeting lasted about two-and-a-half hours she said, with "a lot of information" reviewed.