Everette Robbins, director of public safety (left) and David Glaab, Huron Township supervisor.

Published by The Huron Hub on Monday, April 29, 2019 — 12:00 p.m. EST 

The public safety director and Huron Township supervisor released a statement Monday that showed support for the upcoming Huron Schools bond proposal that will be decided on May 7.

Everette Robbins, director of public safety, and Supervisor David Glaab say in the letter that “the Huron School District Bond Proposal seeks to make our school buildings safer for our students by providing the necessary funding required to renovate and equip our schools with modern day features proven to increase school security.”

Below is the full text from the statement, unedited:

Dear Huron Township Residents,

Providing for the safety of our children is one of the most important functions we perform. As your Public Safety Director and Township Supervisor, we want to share some critical information about the May 7th School District Bond Proposal. We hope you find this brief overview helpful.

A safe learning environment is important for students of all ages. A secure classroom is essential for students to focus on learning as they develop the skills necessary to prepare them for the future. Unfortunately, recent episodes of mass school violence have forced communities and their school districts throughout our nation to devise strategies and methods to combat potential school place threats. Your Huron Township Police Department has responded in part by increasing the level and frequency of its training particularly in the area of active shooter exercises. However, a major area of vulnerability that remains is our conventional school buildings that were designed and built before the emergence of mass school violence.

The Huron School District Bond Proposal seeks to make our school buildings safer for our students by providing the necessary funding required to renovate and equip our schools with modern day features proven to increase school security. Some of these plans include updating the interior and exterior doors with reinforced frames & hardware. Realizing that school safety literally starts at the front door, state of the art visitor access and secure entry controls and mechanisms are proposed as key components of a comprehensive safety plan update.

Effective and reliable public address systems are critical during any school threat scenario. A mass notification system allows school officials to convey a clear set of instructions to students and staff the moment a crisis begins. The quicker the superintendent can implement a lockdown over the public address system, the greater chance our children and their teachers will survive a threat. Again, the Huron School District Bond Proposal would make funds available to ensure our schools are equipped with these vital communication systems.

Finally, the bond proposal includes a plan to make arriving and departing school safer as well. The parking can be a very busy and dangerous place, particularly at the beginning and end of the school day when things can get a bit chaotic. The bond proposal incorporates improvements to our school parking lots to make them safer for our students and their parents.

The safety of our students remains our first priority. We hope you found this information helpful and that it helps you evaluate the May 7th Bond Proposal including the many safety benefits it offers.

Respectfully,

David A, Glaab
Huron Township Supervisor

Everette Robbins
Director of Public Safety

Related articles:

Community to vote May 7 on Huron School District bond proposal

Superintendent explains ballot language in the Huron Schools bond proposal

Letter to the editor: Support the Huron Schools bond proposal on May 7

Letter to the editor: Vote yes for our Huron Chiefs