BY MATT LINDSEY
North Country This Week

POTSDAM -- Potsdam Central School, like many other schools, is reevaluating its safety plan following a school shooting in Texas that left more than 20 people dead.

PCS Superintendent Joann Chambers said the district will create an Ad Hoc Safety Committee to evaluate and make recommendations to safety and security at school buildings to protect students and staff from potential school shootings.

"I am certain the senseless act of violence at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas yesterday has left you unsettled and thinking about the safety of your children," she said in an email the day following the massacre that left 19 children and two adults dead in Uvalde, Texas.

"Please know there is nothing more important to me than ensuring our school buildings are safe places for our staff and students to work and learn."

Chambers noted a number of steps the district has taken to improve school safety:

• All exterior doors are locked at all times. The offices are notified if any door in the district is left ajar.

• We have buttons installed throughout the district so that we can quickly activate the lockdown alarm, if needed.

• Cameras are installed throughout the campus.

• We employ a School Resource Officer whose top priority is ensuring staff and student safety.

• We have developed a District-Wide Safety Plan, attached below, and have a District Safety Team that meets regularly to review potential safety concerns.

"Over the last several years, we have taken many steps to increase the security of our schools and we focus every day on making sure we are prioritizing student and staff wellbeing," she said.

In addition, Potsdam Central has a behavior intervention team that is trained to assess and manage threats made by the community. The team includes law enforcement, mental health professionals, the district SRO, school staff, and several community partners.

"I am also a member of this team, and I take this role very seriously," Chambers said.

Chambers said the most important thing the community can do to keep the schools safe is to foster a culture of shared responsibility.

"If you ever have a concern about a member of the school community that could impact school safety, please contact me or your child's principal immediately," she said.

Chambers urges parents and guardians to speak with their children about the importance of bringing forward any concerns they may have.

To help make it easier for students to share information to help keep schools safe, PCS uses the Say Something Anonymous Reporting app, sponsored by Sandy Hook Promise.

Finally, as part of its continued commitment to school safety, The Board of Education has directed Superintendent Chambers to form an Ad Hoc Safety Committee that will include Board members, school administrators and staff, parents, and representatives from the community.

"The Board of Education has established an Ad Hoc Safety Committee a few times in the past, including in the fall of 2015 when I was a new superintendent," Chambers said.

She said the Board says the purpose is to take a fresh look at safety and security features and protocols at the school.

"This is an excellent opportunity to engage our community and parents in working together to make sure we are doing everything possible to create a safe learning environment for our students," she said.

Those who are on the committee will evaluate all aspects of the district's approach to school safety and make recommendations for improvement. Those interested in serving on this committee will meet 4-6 times during the summer and early fall.

Contact the school directly for information in signing up.