Safety & Wellness Segment

The Role of Superintendents in School Safety Efforts

Submitted by Barbara Grimm, Founder and President of School Responder, and C.J. Huff, Ed.D.

As the face of a school district, superintendents have a wide range of responsibilities, from managing personnel and finances to overseeing curriculum. However, one of their most important duties is ensuring a safe school environment where teachers can teach, and students can learn. Providing balanced leadership on multiple fronts is an on-going daily challenge for superintendents.

On one hand, district superintendents are expected to support school safety by implementing emergency operations plans that should consider procedures, protocols, systems, infrastructure, and facilities. This alone can be a challenge across each of the four phases of emergency management - prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery. This is an unwritten expectation of the community, parents, staff, and students. On the other hand, superintendents are also responsible for promoting a positive school climate. This includes providing support for students, building relationships within the school and community, and offering integrated systems of care across basic, mental health, wellness, and yes, safety needs.

The simple fact is one cannot exist without the other. The emergency management infrastructure “cannot be so intrusive that our students and families feel they interfere disproportionately upon the educational experience.” In essence, creating a culture of care within the school should not be superseded by the “hardening” of facilities and protocols. Students should feel safe in their daily lives knowing there are measures in place should a threat to their safety arise.

Finding the right balance between these two approaches is a delicate but important role superintendents play in local school safety efforts. This is not only crucial to the wellbeing of students and staff, but they are also important because safety is a vital prerequisite for educational success. Learn how superintendents contribute here.