Colfax-Mingo School Board gathers for safety meeting

The Colfax-Mingo Community School Board recently held a workshop to review safety procedures and plans in the district.

Superintendent Tim Salmon shared information that a team of district administrators and local law enforcement updated the Emergency Operations Plan in the summer of 2023 and this continues to be updated.

The purpose of the Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) is to provide information on how to respond to emergency incidents by outlining the responsibilities and duties of the district, school, its employees and students. This plan has been customized to meet the specific and unique needs, capabilities, and circumstances found at any of the schools.

The Plan is not a public document and has limited distribution due to safety concerns.

Building security information was presented, as well as recent adjustments.

A Vulnerability Assessment was completed in 2023 by an outside company to meet a requirement to receive federal funding for safety upgrades to the buildings. Each building receives $50,000. The money will be spent to address the concerns cited in the study, such as door improvements and more camera installations. Heartland AEA (Area Education Agency) assisted in developing a reunification plan for a catastrophic incident, should one occur.

Monthly joint Jasper County Law Enforcement/school district meetings are held where county law enforcement, local police, the Jasper County attorney, and school districts meet to discuss and update plans.

In addition to the physical safety needs of the district, the school is involved with Jasper County Cares Coalition, TeamMates (a mentoring program), and employs a parent/community liaison, as well as guidance counselors in each building.

“Our hearts are with the Perry School District. The tragedy there has continued to reinforce that safety of our students and staff should always be first. Our administrators, staff, and school board have spent a lot of time looking over our safety procedures and protocols to ensure we are as prepared as we can be. We want to thank the community and our local law enforcement for being so engaged in the discussion and always keeping our students and staff as a top priority,” board president Shannon Herbold-Boehm said.