Discussions On School Security and Safety Plan

Consultations are underway between the Department of Education and school boards to develop a comprehensive security and emergency management plan for the province's 430 public schools.

The discussions will centre on recommendations contained in a draft report by Halifax Regional Police Const. Mark Young, the Department of Education's school safety advisor.

Const. Young recently submitted his report to Education Minister Karen Casey.

"I thank Const. Young for his work to help make our schools as safe and secure for students and staff as they can be," said Ms. Casey. "This report provides us with the starting point for a provincewide emergency management and school safety plan for schools."

The minister said the report and recommendations will now be reviewed by staff. School board superintendents and their staff will be consulted before a final school safety plan is developed. Full details of the plan and Const. Young's report will be released this summer.

The goal is to have a school security and emergency plan in place for this September.

"Our challenge, as always, will be to maintain schools as welcoming environments while remaining vigilant of the potential risks to students and staff," said Ms. Casey.

Const. Young, a 28-year police veteran with the Halifax Police Department and an expert in safe school design, spent six months reviewing the security practices at each of the province's eight school boards. He also met extensively with school board representatives, school officials, police, parents and students.

"All school boards have made considerable investments in making schools safe places for students and staff," said Const. Young. "School boards have done a lot of good work to improve security and it is now time to ensure all are up to the maximum level of readiness."