Safe Students: This Is How Strongsville Protects Schools [Video]

STRONGSVILLE, OH — Strongsville Superintendent Cameron Ryba, Director of Public Safety Charles Goss and Police Chief Mark Fender hosted a seminar on school safety and what the school district does to protect students on March 20. For parents and interested community members who weren't able to attend, or just want a refresher, the district has shared video footage from the seminar.

"One of my most important jobs as superintendent, is making sure that each of those 6,000 faces that are in my care each and everyday, from students to staff to parent visitors, go home safe," Ryba said. He then outlined some of the procedures the district has in place.

First, nearly all district buildings are equipped with extensive surveillance camera apparatus. Those cameras cover both the interior and exterior of buildings and are accessible by Strongsville Schools staff. Ryba said the district is working with Strongsville Police to provide access to surveillance footage, as well.

Strongsville staff are trained to ask all potential visitors a set of questions to screen them before entry. The district also deploys a system called "Raptor." Visitors must have their license scanned into the Raptor system, which accesses data from various registries to determine if the person should be permitted inside the building. Then visitors get a customized badge while inside a Strongsville Schools facility. The badge includes information on the visitor, why they're there and where they're going.

There are also magnetic locking entry doors with intercom, video and electronic access manned by trained staff. Even a significant amount of pressure will not allow someone to get through the door, Ryba said, indicating the district had tested the magnetic locks. That helps mitigate who can and cannot get into a building.

Strongsville Police also maintain a regular presence both inside and around schools on an almost daily basis. "Our kids feel comfortable with the officers around," Ryba said. "Our staff feel comfortable."

There are also safety bollards, large poles or spheres that limit vehicular access to buildings, at both Strongsville High School and Strongsville Middle School, to mitigate traffic-based threats.

Ryba, Fender and Goss went on to discuss how the district identifies students that might be at-risk, how school employees and parents are engaged on safety issues, and took questions from the audience. All of that can be seen in the video above.

Photo from Strongsville Schools