Centennial Outlines Security Measures In Wake Of School Threats

WARMINSTER, PA —In the wake of two recent threats at William Tennent High, the Centennial School District has outlined its security and safety measures to the community.

Schools Superintendent Dana T. Bedden wrote an open letter to share information about the district's ongoing efforts to enhance safety, security, and mental health services across Centennial schools and to address any confusion or misinformation.

"In these ever-changing times, the well-being of our students, staff, and community remains our highest priority, and it's crucial to keep you informed about the steps we are taking to ensure a safe and nurturing educational environment," Bedden said in the letter obtained by Patch.

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Bedden said that when he arrived at Centennial in 2020, the school district faced "unprecedented challenges" and that much time has been spent over the past two to three years navigating the challenges while also focusing on improving our teaching and learning programs.

In June 2022, Bedden said the district began a concerted effort to enhance our safety and security measures, recognizing the critical importance of these areas in today's educational landscape.

Bedden provided the Centennial community with a comprehensive overview of the work done to ensure student and staff safety and well-being, a follow-up to a March 2023 communication.

These are the safety and security improvements:

Organizational Changes

1. New Leadership: We've created and filled the Supervisor of Safety and Security position, credentialed as a School Police Officer (SPO). This administrator-level position develops and oversees district-wide centralized safety and security plans.
2. Upgraded Security Personnel: We've transitioned from using Security Monitors to employing trained School Security Guards (SSG). This change significantly increased the capability and professionalism of our security team.
3. Increased Staffing: We've added additional security positions (double) to our staffing model, allowing for greater coverage and quicker response times.
4. Specialized Training: All our School Security Officers now complete 40 hours of training to be certified as School Security Guards in compliance with ACT 67 standards.

Physical Security Enhancements

1. Installed vehicle barriers around play areas that previously lacked fencing.
2. Added school ID badge readers at specific buildings to control access.
3. Updated our security systems' notification and lockdown functions.
4. Installed additional cameras to reduce blind spots and updated old cameras as part of the $362,000 Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD)
5. Replaced locks, cores, and keys under one controlled system at specific buildings.
6. We're investing an additional $371,000 to install 150 more cameras and approximately $270,000 to completely overhaul our radio communication system.
7. We purchased multiple hand-held metal detectors for all CSD buildings with students in them.

Funding, Assessments, and Partnerships

1. In addition to physical security enhancements, we used part of the $362,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) to increase mental health support.
2. Completed a comprehensive Safety and Security facilities assessment with the Pennsylvania State Police.
3. We updated our Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with our local police departments to align with the state Model MOU. We are grateful for the support of Warminster Township and Upper Southampton Township police departments. They respond to calls when needed, routinely stop by our schools, and conduct random walkthroughs (wellness and safety checks) to ensure our schools are safe.
4. The county Sheriff’s Office trained our administrative staff on the best practices for using hand-held metal detectors in searches.

Mental Health Services

1. SEAL Team: We've implemented a Social, Emotional, Academic, and Learning (SEAL) Team to support students' mental and psychological health. For three years, we invested over $300,000 in a dedicated position to lead the development of processes and procedures, train staff, and create a district team approach. This team teaches coping and regulation strategies, models positive behaviors, and fosters effective communication.
2. Behavioral Mental Health Counselors: We support students in grades K-12, helping them develop skills in decision-making, conflict resolution, self-esteem, and coping strategies.
3. Increased Psychological Services: Using our PCCD grant funding, we expanded our school's psychological services to provide even more comprehensive mental health support.
4. Threat Assessments: We revised and updated our student threat assessment protocols to align with state-recommended Model K-12 Threat Assessment Procedures and Guidelines.

Cybersecurity Measures

1. We reconfigured our technology department and team to provide maximum focus on cybersecurity.
2. Conducted a thorough threat assessment on our network, receiving a favorable B+ rating from the third-party vendor who conducted the evaluation.
3. The Bucks County IU team recognized our staff for having the best safety and security infrastructures.

Ongoing Vigilance and Communication

1. We continue to monitor the recent increase in "swatting" incidents and are always in close contact with local law enforcement and emergency response teams to handle such situations effectively. Collaborative decisions are made to determine whether "threats" are credible.
2. Our new Supervisor of Safety and Security maintains strong relationships with Police and First Responders, ensuring coordinated responses to potential incidents, and has direct contact via a local police department issue radio.
3. We continue to monitor Safe2Say and Gaggle (safety management software), which are tools that support our safety and security monitoring efforts. We have shared information with our students about the Safe2Say Something program, recognizing warning signs and signals, and anonymously reporting information. Our students have used this tip line to protect their friends and classmates.

Future Plans and Ongoing Commitment

1. Continuous Training: Ongoing emergency management and situational awareness training for all staff, teachers, and substitutes.
2. Regular Assessments: Periodic reviews and updates of our security equipment and plans across the District.
3. Expanded Mental Health Support: Continuing to enhance our mental health services based on student needs and emerging best practices.
4. Technology Upgrades: Ongoing updates to our cybersecurity measures and digital infrastructure.
5. Community Engagement: Increasing parent and community involvement opportunities in our safety initiatives.
6. Funding Initiatives: Actively seeking additional grants and funding opportunities to support our safety and mental health programs.

"Creating a safe, supportive environment is a collaborative effort. Your trust and partnership in this endeavor mean the world to us," Bedden said. "We encourage you to engage with your children about school safety, and reinforce the importance of "see something, say something."

Anyone with questions, concerns, or insights about our safety and security measures should contact the district office instead of making social media posts.