The District continues to evaluate and increase safety measures regularly in concert with federal, state, and local law enforcement, district safety consultants, the Luzerne Intermediate Unit Safe School Committee, the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) and the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Safety related initiatives and updates for the 2022-2023 school year include:

Increased armed officers on campus

Increased security coverage hours

Updated Emergency Operation Plan

Added communication radios

Updated walkthrough metal detector

Replaced school bus surveillance systems

Added exterior school bus cameras

Updated school bus GPS monitoring system

Installed exterior door monitor/alarm system

Completed of bus staging/evacuation exercises

Continued employee training

Updated “go-bucket” materials/resources

Added signage/notices campus-wide

Added outdoor gate hardware

Modified exterior door hardware

Extended agreement with Dallas TWP Police SROs

Updated District Threat Assessment Team protocols

Exploration continues related to vape detection systems, added surveillance/alert systems supported by artificial intelligence, updated network monitoring and security, and a revised communication plan for back-to-school safety discussions with students. The District will release the annual School Climate Surveys prior to the end of the school year and planning is underway for safety related professional development and training for administrators, faculty building level crisis response teams, and support staff employees during our remaining 22-23 in-service days, summer, and 23-24 Act 80 in-service days.

Input and questions related to school safety can be shared with your child’s school principal and/or District Director of Operations, Mr. Jake Sholtis.

Pictured below are district officials and law enforcement representatives during an orientation related to newly updated bus cameras. (L-R) Dr. Thomas J. Duffy, Superintendent, SRO Bernie Posten, Dallas TWP PD, Trooper Geoge Layaou, PSP, Chief Chris Maransky, Kingston TWP PD, Mr. Jake Sholtis, Director of Operations, and Mr. Brian Bradshaw, Principal, WPC