Safety in Our Schools

• 1,500+ cameras throughout the interior and exterior of our buildings can be monitored in real time or viewed for specific events. This system is viewable by law enforcement off-site.

  • We have completed installing upgraded security technology at secondary schools and will be working on elementary schools during the 2026-27 school year. 

  • The AI technology is only for helping approved district staff quickly search for incidents or individuals based on appearance or keyword searches.
  • The platform does not create generative AI video content or manipulate images.
  • None of the footage is used to train AI models.
  • Only approved district staff can access any content within the platform. The platform provider can only access our system if district staff grant them a one-time use token for assistance during a support call.
  • Only approved district staff and our school resource officers have access to the system, which is protected by multi-factor authentication.
  • We have a full log of all access, usage, and feed viewing by anyone with access.
• The main entrance to a school is for entering and exiting; all other entries/exits are to be locked or monitored during the school day. Internal classroom doors can be locked quickly as part of regular school drills.
• Access Control System at all sites that restricts and monitors who enters the building at all hours of the day and night. 
• Lockout/down system at all sites that locks all exterior main doors with one-button operation during a threat, called a "lockout." Staff have been trained and practiced securing all classrooms in a full "lockdown."
• Safety vestibules or secure electronic entry systems that lead to the classroom areas. Any new construction includes these features by default, and we are currently retrofitting our older buildings.
• A security service patrols NTPS sites seven days a week. They walk the sites and check for unsecured doors and windows, as well as any suspicious activity.

In the event of a crisis, the NTPS Critical Incident Response Team coordinates communications, ensures site safety, provides transportation and food services, coordinates student reunification, and provides support for students and staff. A Crisis Recovery Team, composed of school counselors, nurses, and other staff, is trained to provide immediate and ongoing support to students, staff, and families to help alleviate the emotional impact of a critical incident.

The Rapid Responder / Easy Alert System notifies leadership staff and the Critical Incident Response Team via email and text with important details in the event of a fire, earthquake, or other incident. Law enforcement and other emergency services access the system for information about the site, including the building layout, to support their response.

Each of our buildings runs a variety of safety drills throughout the year. From fires to active threat training, our students and staff practice communicating, following instructions, and knowing where to go in the event of an actual emergency.

This includes lockdown drills, fire drills, and earthquake drills.

Every school is required to conduct at least one safety-related drill each month when school is in session. They must complete at least three lockdown drills, one shelter-in-place drill, and three evacuation drills in accordance with state fire codes each school year. 
 

Each of our schools has an assigned school resource officer (SRO) from either the Lacey Police Department or the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office who makes regular rounds in their assigned buildings. They foster communication with staff and students and are immediate points of contact when safety is in question. To speak to an SRO, contact your school.