A topic on many people’s minds these days revolves around the security of schools.
We spoke with the newly named Interim Superintendent of the Manitowoc Public School District, Jim Feil, about that topic.
He said that it is up to the district officials to reassure parents that their children will be safe while in school.
One aspect of the Uvalde Texas shooting that stuck out to Feil was that of an open door in which the shooter gained access to the school.
“Sometimes we start just enjoying our environment sometimes, and we forget how important it is to pay attention to the details,” he told Seehafer News. “We just went through that in my small district. Traverse City we did that. Everywhere I have been, this has been a priority.”
He also said that in most cases, the staff at the school is on the same page and recognizes the importance of keeping the schools secure as best they can.
Feil also noted the importance of having a good relationship with local law enforcement.
“Currently I have a really strong relationship with our Sheriff’s Department,” he explained. “They have come in with ALICE (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evacuate) training. You just can’t take anything for granted. You have to be in that ready state, always.”
The leader of the Manitowoc Public School District also said, “I think when you find yourself, and you feel secure, you also then are focused back on the academics, and everything else that goes with it because you feel that you are equipped to do that.”
He closed by saying, “You can’t anticipate everything, but you can always be in that ready state.”
