Noblesville and Westfield parents and students will see security updates during the upcoming school year.
Noblesville Superintendent Beth Niedermeyer, at Wednesday evening’s Parent Safety Meeting held at Noblesville High School, announced the district has put in place enhanced safety measures, including additional surveillance equipment, new visitor and student procedures and more safety training.
“We intend to pursue enhanced facility structures, increased lockdown tools, classroom barricading products, parking lot access controls, additional technology for increased safety communications, additional counseling staff and increased mental health supports,” Niedermeyer said.
Niedermeyer also confirmed the Noblesville Police Department will be increasing the number of officers in schools.
Noblesville Police Chief Kevin Jowitt told the crowd at Wednesday’s meeting his department is committed to tripling the number of officers assigned to schools, including officers in all elementary schools, later this school year.
Indiana State Police Superintendent Doug Carter and Chief Jowitt both explained the importance of recognizing behaviors displayed by individuals, including students, which could be a potential threat.
Noblesville and the Westfield Washington School District announced they will implement a new visitor management system. This new comprehensive system will enhance school entrance security and better ensure that every visitor is permitted and authorized to be in a school building.
Beginning Tuesday, Aug. 7, a SafeVisitor background check will be required for anyone who visits a Westfield school, including family members of our students. Examples of activities in the schools where visitors will need a completed SafeVisitor background check include lunch guests, classroom parties, classroom volunteers / helpers / room parents and field trip chaperones. Noblesville will also require background checks for school visitors.
According to Carter, several schools have taken advantage of a recent State of Indiana initiative to provide handheld metal detectors to all schools that want them.
In a recent email to parents, Superintendent Niedermeyer said the metal detectors will be used in “individual cases where reasonable suspicion exists.”
According to the Indiana Department of Education’s website, Noblesville, Hamilton Heights, Sheridan and Westfield have requested metal detectors. Carmel, Hamilton Southeastern, Guerin Catholic and University high schools have not yet committed.
Noblesville and Westfield have said they hope the security changes help bring peace of mind to parents and make students feel safer.