Benicia Unified Responds to Connecticut Elementary School Shooting

In the wake of violence that has reportedly left at least , Benicia Unified School District officials are taking a moment to share their perspective on the tragedy and are prepared to answer any questions concerned Benicia residents may have.

When asked about how prepared BUSD is in the event of an active shooter situation, District Assistant Superintendent Michael Gardner explained there are certain precautions each school has taken to ensure the district is as prepared for something like this as possible.

In an e-mailed response, Gardner noted the protocols each school is prepared to take in the event of an active school shooting incident. Here is what he had to say:

Any school involved shooting is of great concern for all educators. The one this morning is particularly concerning. In Benicia we have taken steps to help reduce the risk of anything like that happening here. We are fortunate that the Benicia Police Department provides us with two school resource officers. The majority of their time is spent at our high school and middle school but they are able to assist our alternative schools and elementary schools. Most of our schools have fencing that requires anyone to come into our schools to come into the office. There is limited access.

Recently our School Board adopted a policy that every employee must have a photo ID badge on when visiting schools. We work very close with the Benicia Police Department in discussing and instituting policies that will keep our students as safe as they can possibly be. Just this fall, myself, an administrator from Benicia Middle School, two administrators from Benicia High School as well as two Benicia police officers attended a training on school shootings and what we can do as a District and community to prevent it from happening here. Every new employee including substitutes are trained on proper procedures when there is an alert for an intruder on campus.

Certainly with this new tragedy we will continue to work with the Benicia Police Department to investigate additional policies and strategies that will make us even more prepared to prevent something like this from happening in Benicia.