How Would Gulfport Schools Respond to Crisis?
Today's shooting massacre at a Connecticut elementary school is a national tragedy. Protecting our schools and community is a No. 1 priority. How prepared is Gulfport to respond to a crisis?
Whether it is a public elementary school or a large high school, each Pinellas County school is required to have a security and crisis plan in place, in case of emergency. Boca Ciega High School and Gulfport Elementary are no exceptions. Crisis planning is updated yearly, according to Melanie Marquez, spokeswoman for the Pinellas County School District, which by law is exempt from sharing its security plans with the public and media. What Marquez was able to disclose is that each crisis plan is tailored to the individual needs and challenges of each public school in Pinellas County. In addition, each school is required to hold emergency drills for evacuating students and for lockdowns, when school doors are locked and no one is permitted …
