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Green Country schools planning ahead after Florida shooting

Posted at 9:24 AM, Feb 16, 2018
and last updated 2018-02-16 10:56:47-05

SAND SPRINGS, Okla. -- Sand Springs Public Schools are working overtime for safety.

Over the last five year's they've added security cameras, active shooter trainings, and staff now personally escort guests into classrooms.

"Sandy Hook in 2012 really brought to home that this can happen anywhere. It doesn't have to be a disgruntled high school student or parent. It could just be someone who's suffering from a mental disability who just breaks," assistant superintendent Rob Miller said.

Sand Springs has an armed security guard that rotates between schools. In Tulsa, police are staffed at all the high schools and there's a rotation across the rest of the district. These officers aim to be the eyes and ears around students.

"We think at the bottom line it's going to be relationships that help out. We think everyone will take ownership of the school and take ownership of their own safety... and that's why we give kudos out to students and teachers and parents who if they actually hear something and see something they say something," TPS campus police chief Matthias Wicks said.

In light of the more recent shootings, Wicks is talking with other experts nationally. Sand Springs has a safe school committee that meets monthly. From here, they could be introducing new technology.

"The door closure bars that go on doors. There are mechanisms that you can slide on those quickly. There are wedges, high strength wedges you can put under them to make them inaccessible," Miller said.

When it comes to students acting out on campus, expulsion is not legal in Oklahoma. Currently the only tool available is suspensions.

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