Crisis Plan for Pulaski County Special School District - Case Study Example

Analyzing a Schools Crisis Plan Introduction It is essential that a long lasting and mutual relationship be created between a school and the community in which it exists. Just like the rest of the stakeholders, the community members constitute a significant part of the school that has lots of contributions to make. Apart from supporting various school programs, the community members, have a mandate to chip in whenever there is any crisis within the school (May, S. & Aikman, S., 2003). For instance, in case of accident, fire or attack, they should be the first to arrive at the scene to help in evacuating learners, teachers and school administrators from danger. However, not much can be achieved if there does not exist a cordial relationship between them. The school personnel should not only view the crisis planning process with the single goal of creating a plan but, with the realization that such a plan will help in building the relationship between the school and the community. A crisis plan is essential in that it provides clear and effective policies upon which stakeholders to a school may act in the event of a crisis in a school; thus, ensuring safety of the students, and maintained public confidence of the school and its educational leaders. Essentially, every crisis plan should entail the cycle presented by the diagram below. Source: http://www.em-network.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/crisis-management1.jpg Crisis Plan for Pulaski County Special School District In the current turbulent world which we live in, it is imperative that a school district develop a crisis plan as a necessity for its sustained growth. This has been largely influenced by the security and safety concerns at nationwide and global levels, which have led schools to review their plans and the preparedness of the same to combat the security situations. Pulaski County Special School District is no exception, and through its District Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Jerry Guess, numerous commendable progresses have been achieved in the coordination and overseeing of the schools’ activities in the district. As a long time employee of this district, Dr. Guess clearly understands that the surrounding school community has got a precise substantial part to play in relation to the development of the school. As a result of the close linkage, the community members are always ready to cooperate whenever they are asked to, for instance, in the case of a funds drive. The same spirit has been witnessed whenever any of the schools is faced with any emergency. During such times, they do not wait to be called upon, but readily rush to school to save the situation. For example, when there is a fire outbreak, terrorist attack or gun shootings, the community members even take the role of emergency respondents and volunteer to save the lives of the learners (Jaffin, B., 2008). All these are possible because the District School Board has come up with public mobilization policies. The crisis communication team For the district schools, the team comprises of the District Superintendent, the principals from various schools, representatives from the community and representatives from area security agencies. This team majorly comprises of various committees that are tasked with the ensured implementation of the adopted plan. The team also helps in the determination of the appropriate positioning or message in the addressing of the emergency. With a communication team, the reputation and integrity of the school is also maintained (Moore, Bagin, Gallagher & Bagin, 2012). This team should also address the nature of the crisis, whether as an act of omission or an overt act. Sample news release A day for reckoning for the District was on 9th/10/1996 when rouge Jacksonville High School student, WJ came with a handgun to school and discriminately shot his colleagues aboard the school bus. On this fateful day, WJ had hidden the gun in his locker (Dujardin, 2009). However, after failing to accomplish his mission in school, WJ opened fire in the afternoon while going back home and managed to kill one of the students. This terrified the school and caused a lot of tension amongst the students, teachers, parents and the entire school community. However, I was impressed by the kind of response that the incident elicited. First, no learners (apart from those on board) were informed about it. Secondly, the school administration immediately called 911 to come and carry out rescue operations. Third, all the parents and guardians, were immediately notified through a phone call, about what had happened. Lastly, the security personnel were invited to come and take charge of the situation. All activities were synchronized by the office of the school principal who worked in conjunction with school security team and the department of communication and public relations. When the police officers came, they took charge of the situation and rounded the killer. He was detained and booked in the nearest police station while the investigations were being conducted. Meanwhile, the terrified students in the school bus were attended to and given the necessary support within the shortest time possible. Since they were the major and immediate victims, the students were really shocked at what had been done by their colleague. It was a brutal act that demonstrated inhumane conducts of the gun holder. Positioning As an educationist, I would like to say that the crisis management in Pulaski County Special School is above board. This is based on the manner in which the crisis team in the district handled the crisis thus, demonstrating that it was keen in the ensuring of its students’, staff and community members’ safety (May, S. & Aikman, S., 2003). If there were no team work, nobody would bother rushing to the scene of the crisis and positively contributing towards its mitigation. All the employees appeared to be so responsible in discharging their duties. Therefore, it implies that the District School Board has done much in ensuring that staff members are accountable and is always prepared to deal with such unfortunate situations. Community involvement In Pulaski County Special School District, all the necessary measures are taken to warrant close work relations amongst the school and the community. In case of crises, the community members are always welcome to make their contributions. Such a unity is integral because it has enabled the school district to tackle various emergencies that are in a dire need of response. According to the schools located in this district, the community should be actively involved in the affairs of the school. Their contributions are always needed whenever necessary (Jaffin, B., 2008). The collaboration has been in existence for a long time, and it acts as a way of reciprocating for the good services the community gets from the schools whenever they need assistance. When the community is faced with emergencies resulting from natural catastrophes such as flood, they do run to these schools for safety. They have spacious rooms, which can be used for accommodation as they look for ways for mitigating such crises. Otherwise, if the school administrators would be uncooperative, they would not allow such troubled community members to shelter in their institutions. Thus, their relationship is mutual because it accrues benefits to both sides. While commending school-community collaboration during crises, I would like to stress that communication can play an integral role if efficiently used. However, in order for such communications to be effective, it has to be properly coordinated (Jaffin, B., 2008). At the very beginning, all the school administrators should be given the necessary training on disaster management. They have to be equipped with knowledge that these are unforeseen emergencies, which can strike at any time. Designated spokesperson The spokesperson on behalf of the Pulaski County Special School District is the District Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Jerry Guess. He is supported by a crisis communication team and a backup of other involved parties such as the police spokesperson. The recognition of the spokesperson helps in the coordination of communication with the media. Conclusion The management of Pulaski County Special School District has effectively maintained a good rapport with the community. Actually, all schools take learners from the community and prepare them for life there. Therefore, every community member should be given an opportunity to participate in all the activities going on in the schools. This will make them feel as part of these institutions and readily contribute whenever there is any crisis that requires the intervention of everyone (Moore et al, 2012). This is the best way through which education will be promoted in the country. Security is not just a necessary requirement in schools but is a means of academic prosperity. Without it, no learning will take place because everyone would be shaken. References Dujardin, P. (2009). Former Student Gets 14 Years In Shootings. Daily Press. Retrieved from http//:articlesdailypress.com/2009-11-11/news/0911100086-1-maye-mental-illness-shooting Jaffin, Bob (2008). Emergency Management Training: How to Find the Right Program. Emergency Management Magazine. Retrieved from http//:www.govtech.com/em/articles/400741 May, S. & Aikman, S. (2003). Indigenous Education: Addressing Current Issues and Developments. Comparative Education 39 (2): 139–145. Moore, E. H., Bagin, D., Gallagher, D. R., & Bagin, D. (2012). The school and community relations. Upper Saddle River, N.J: Pearson. Read More