[The following update on school security from Superintendent of Schools Gary G. Richards was posted to the Wilton Public Schools website on Jan. 2:]
As we resume school following the holiday break, we will continue our review of campus security at each of our schools. Some of the steps we are taking include:
- We continue to ensure that exterior doors are locked and that visitors are checked through our visitor management system.
- The Wilton Police are a visible presence as they patrol our community and make stops at our schools.
- We will continue to practice emergency drills with students and we will be reviewing our protocols for these drills with our principals.
- This week members of our senior staff and I will be meeting with First Selectman Brennan, Wilton Police Chief Lombardo and his key staff. We will be discussing our current security system and possible ways we might improve.
- We will attend a state-wide conference of school officials next week, and I will also be meeting with Southern Fairfield County school superintendents to discuss approaches for enhancing school security.
For a variety of reasons, we will not be sharing details about our security efforts, but I assure you that we consider this matter our highest priority. I would like to extend my appreciation to our parents and staff for the way they have reassured our children during a very difficult time. Thanks to you all, our students understand and appreciate that schools are safe places for them and that we are fully committed to their safety and well-being.
Respectfully,
Gary G. Richards
Superintendent of Schools
