ROISD Announces Safety Week, Changes to Campus Access, and Camera Upgrades

The safety of students and staff remains a top priority in Red Oak ISD. In recent years, the district has strengthened its approach to school safety through improvements in facility monitoring, prevention measures, personnel, and emergency response procedures.

Last year, ROISD implemented weapons detection systems at all campuses and for after-school events and activities. In accordance with state law restricting student use of personal communication devices during the school day, the district introduced Yondr pouches for all secondary students. Elementary students are required to keep personal devices turned off and stored out of sight in their backpacks.

The district’s continued focus on safety includes Fall Safety Week, upgraded camera monitoring systems, and enhanced visitor access procedures at all campuses.

SAFETY WEEK

Each semester, ROISD conducts a Safety Week to focus on procedures and safety practices at the schools. Safety Week will take place this fall semester from August 31-September 4.

During scheduled drills, campus access may be limited or temporarily unavailable while students and staff practice the five Standard Response Protocols: Hold, Shelter, Secure, Evacuate, and Lockdown. These protocols provide a common framework for responding to emergencies and other safety-related situations.

The type and severity of an incident will determine campus access and district communication. For example, a brief Hold for a minor medical incident may not require parent notification. A more serious medical emergency, particularly one witnessed by students, may warrant communication from the district.

• HOLD – Stay in current room or area. Used to keep hallways clear for a medical emergency or minor incident containment. Instruction continues, and school access is allowed by phone and in person. Communication is determined on a case-by-case basis if necessary.
• SHELTER – This is a hazard or safety strategy for occupants for severe weather, including tornadoes and earthquakes, or hazardous materials. All staff will follow shelter guidance – no school or phone access. Communication from central administration.
• SECURE – All exterior doors locked; only emergency personnel in or out. Protocol used to safeguard people within the building. Used when area police have an issue in a neighborhood or similar situation. No building access, although front office staff should be available. Communication is determined on a case-by-case basis if necessary.
• EVACUATE – Used to move occupants to a different location or out of the building. Used for fire, hazardous materials, and other emergencies. All staff will follow evacuation directives – no school or phone access. Communication from central administration.
• LOCKDOWN – ‘Locks, Lights, Out of Sight’ is used to secure individual rooms and keep occupants quiet and in one place until first responders arrive. Used for a threat or hazard inside the school building. All staff will follow lockdown directives – no school or phone access. Communication from central administration.

“We must be prepared to respond to a variety of situations,” Superintendent Brenda Sanford said. “Red Oak ISD has long been a leader in school safety, with officers on every campus for more than 20 years, dedicated Safety Weeks, collaborative regional drills, and other proactive measures. We believe a safe learning environment strengthens the educational experience by allowing students to focus on learning. We encourage our parents and guardians to become familiar with these protocols through the Texas School Safety Center.”

Parents can learn more about the Standard Response Protocol by reviewing the Parent’s Guide to School Safety Toolkit, developed by the Texas School Safety Center.

https://txssc.txstate.edu/tools/parent-safety/2-school-safety/2-4-srp.html

SCHOOL MONITORING AND ACCESS CHANGES

In addition to safety drills, ROISD is introducing upgraded camera monitoring systems and enhanced visitor access procedures. Campus entrances will feature a video doorbell and intercom system allowing front-office staff to communicate with visitors before granting entry.

The upgraded cameras will strengthen the district’s ability to monitor campuses, respond to incidents, support investigations, and securely archive footage.

Beginning August 31, every visitor will be required to present a state-issued photo ID through the video intercom before being admitted into the campus entry vestibule. Visitors will then pass through the weapons detection system before being granted access to the campus. The on-campus police officer will respond to any system alert.

“These upgrades provide greater clarity, improved tracking, and an enhanced ability to archive footage,” Sanford said. “The new visitor-entry process also adds another important layer of campus security. Access beyond the front office will generally be limited to individuals with appointments and to the parents or guardians of enrolled students who have a school-related need to enter the campus during the instructional day.”

Three-Step School Access

• Ring the doorbell, present your ID, and state the purpose of your visit.
  • Every visitor must have a valid state-issued photo ID to enter the building.
  • Staff members must present their district-issued identification badges.
• After being admitted to the vestibule, proceed through the weapons detection system (Open Gate).
• Check in at the front office and obtain a visitor badge (Raptor) before entering areas beyond the office.

CLEAR BAG POLICY

Students and visitors are reminded to follow all weapons detection and clear bag requirements for school events and activities held during school or before or after the school day.

• Students entering a school facility must remove laptops, binders, umbrellas, eyeglass cases, and similar items from bags or backpacks and hand them to the attendant before proceeding through the detection system.
• Secondary students are required to use clear backpacks.
• Guests and visitors attending events and activities must follow the district’s clear bag policy:
  • Clear bags may not exceed 12 in. x 12 in. x 6 in.
  • One-gallon clear resealable bags are permitted.
  • Small purses or clutches may not exceed 6.5 inches by 4.5 inches.
  • Guests and visitors must leave unnecessary bags and backpacks at home or in their vehicles.
    • Large totes, backpacks, duffel bags, coolers, and camera bags are prohibited.
    • An exception may be made for approved members of the media.

“We thank our students, staff, parents, and community members for their continued support of school safety,” Sanford added. “Prevention measures, multiple layers of deterrence, our ‘See Something, Say Something’ efforts, and the STOPit reporting system all play an important role in keeping our schools safe. We regularly practice safety protocols with students and staff, and we want families to understand that our first priority during any incident will always be protecting our students and employees. We will then communicate as openly, transparently, and quickly as circumstances allow. The safety of every student and staff member is and always will be a top priority in Red Oak ISD.”

For more information on school safety, visit the ROISD website at https://www.redoakisd.org/departments/roisd-police-department