Home » News » Education
December 19. 2012 12:49PM
Londonderry schools take closer look at security measures
LONDONDERRY - In the days after the deadly school shooting in Newtown, Conn., Londonderry police have maintained a visible presence at the district's six schools.
During Tuesday night's school board meeting, Superintendent Nathan Greenberg shared details of the precautions being taken in response to last Friday's tragedy. On Friday afternoon, local police officials immediately called Greenberg and sent officers to each school. The superintendent then immediately called an administrative meeting to discuss school security measures.
On Saturday, administrators participated in a telephone conference with Gov. John Lynch to further discuss which options were available, and over the weekend, emails were sent with lists of resources for administrators, faculty and staff members.
"We went through all the facets of our current protocols and identified the areas we felt it was important to address," Greenberg said. "Some of them are short-term quick fixes."
Administrators will meet again for further review on Thursday. Greenberg noted that all schools currently have emergency plans in place, and staff and students practice their responses to different threats on a regular basis. Security cameras have been inside the schools for nearly a decade, the superintendent said, and the elementary and middle schools are equipped with buzzer systems.
At the high school, which doesn't currently have a buzzer system, there are always two staff members posted at the front entrance to screen visitors, along with the school resource officer.
"We've slightly changed our protocols surrounding people buzzing into the schools and the questions we ask them," Greenberg added.
School board chairman John Laferriere urged parents to communicate freely with their children's teachers, noting that those with questions or concerns may contact the board at any time.
Middle School principal Richard Zacchilli said his school held its holiday concert last Saturday, immediately after the incident in Newtown. "There were about 600 kids there and 1,500 parents," said Zacchilli, noting that two Londonderry police officers remained on the premises throughout the event. "I think everyone felt safe and secure even though it was a difficult day," he said.
During Tuesday night's school board meeting, Superintendent Nathan Greenberg shared details of the precautions being taken in response to last Friday's tragedy. On Friday afternoon, local police officials immediately called Greenberg and sent officers to each school. The superintendent then immediately called an administrative meeting to discuss school security measures.
On Saturday, administrators participated in a telephone conference with Gov. John Lynch to further discuss which options were available, and over the weekend, emails were sent with lists of resources for administrators, faculty and staff members.
"We went through all the facets of our current protocols and identified the areas we felt it was important to address," Greenberg said. "Some of them are short-term quick fixes."
Administrators will meet again for further review on Thursday. Greenberg noted that all schools currently have emergency plans in place, and staff and students practice their responses to different threats on a regular basis. Security cameras have been inside the schools for nearly a decade, the superintendent said, and the elementary and middle schools are equipped with buzzer systems.
At the high school, which doesn't currently have a buzzer system, there are always two staff members posted at the front entrance to screen visitors, along with the school resource officer.
"We've slightly changed our protocols surrounding people buzzing into the schools and the questions we ask them," Greenberg added.
School board chairman John Laferriere urged parents to communicate freely with their children's teachers, noting that those with questions or concerns may contact the board at any time.
Middle School principal Richard Zacchilli said his school held its holiday concert last Saturday, immediately after the incident in Newtown. "There were about 600 kids there and 1,500 parents," said Zacchilli, noting that two Londonderry police officers remained on the premises throughout the event. "I think everyone felt safe and secure even though it was a difficult day," he said.
- John Stossel: Sublet my people go - 0
- Another View: A voter ID compromise with which we all can live - 15
- George Will: The NLRB’s school-door stand - 1
- Pat Buchanan: Barack Obama is the spectator President - 0
- Jonah Goldberg: Obama's 'idiot' defense - 1
- Another View: Amendments to the Senate casino bill make it worth passing - 4
- Charles Arlinghaus: On Medicaid expansion, the right answer is, 'not yet' - 2
- Deroy Murdock: A bloated state necessarily bullies, as the IRS did - 3
- Kathy Sullivan: The IRS scandal exposes flaw behind tax-exempt politicking - 24
Fergus Cullen: Is Rand Paul peaking too early? (That’s a joke, people)
READER COMMENTS: 4- NHIAA Div. I Track: Lynch, North boys prevail - 0
- Two found dead in Belmont; one man detained as part of investigation - 0
- Weather may be more like Veterans Day than Memorial Day - 0
- Awards cap city's Small Business Week - 0
- Rock Cats-Fisher Cats suspended - 0
- Budget plan presses NH hospitals to join managed care networks - 0
- Students hold ceremony to honor flags - 0
- This week's Rare Bird Alert - 0
- McCafferty nominated for District Court judge position - 0
NHIAA Scoreboard, May 24, 2013
READER COMMENTS: 0- Should schools do more to police food and beverages consumed at school?
- Yes
- 29%
- No
- 71%
- Total Votes: 112



