At the Feb. 18 school board meeting, Steve Vera, director of security and safety, and Aaron Nickles, executive director of technology, presented a report detailing the district's student safety procedures and technology.
They outlined key safety measures, including:
All school buildings have a single entry, requiring visitors to be buzzed in through a video/audio system at the main office. All exterior doors and classroom doors are kept locked throughout the school day.
Bentonville Schools also requires staff training in emergency preparedness. All teachers receive active shooter training, provided by the Bentonville Police Department. Staff are also offered training in CPR and first aid.
On school buses, a tracking system allows parents to monitor when their children board and exit, with notifications sent when the bus is three stops away from a student’s destination. There is also video surveillance on the buses for added security.
An AI tool scans students’ document files for concerning language, reporting any instances to school officials.
Drug detection dogs are brought in monthly at the high schools, sweeping randomly selected classrooms and parking lots.
Each school has a customized Emergency Response Plan, and security audits are conducted regularly. The district encourages students to report concerns through a “See Something, Say Something” campaign, which includes a confidential tip line.
