SAND SPRINGS — With the start of a new school year, Cleveland Public Schools has outlined its safety protocols for the school district.
“This year, our district continues to utilize the Standard Response Protocol (SRP) developed by the I Love U Guys Foundation,” Superintendent Sol Bayouth said. “The protocol provides a simple, standardized response to a wide variety of emergency situations and uses five clear actions: Hold, Secure, Lockdown, Evacuate, and Shelter. Students and staff practice and train on these procedures so everyone understands what is expected should an emergency occur.”
Bayouth said those procedures include: Hold - Students remain in their classrooms while hallways are cleared.
Secure - Students and staff move indoors and exterior doors are locked when there is a concern outside the building.
Lockdown - Used only when there is a threat inside or immediately near the building. Students and staff follow the 'Locks, Lights, Out of Sight' protocol.
Evacuate - Students and staff move to a designated safe location.
Shelter - Used for hazards such as severe weather or environmental concerns.
Bayouth said while emergency preparedness is important, much of their safety work occurs long before an emergency ever happens.
“Across our district, we have invested in multiple layers of security designed to prevent problems, monitor our campuses, and respond quickly when needed,” he said.
These measures include having a full-time School Resource Officer on campus.
“Having a dedicated School Resource Officer on campus provides an immediate law enforcement presence and strengthens relationships between students, staff, and emergency responders. Our SRO works proactively throughout the school day, maintaining visibility, building connections, and assisting with safety planning and response,” Bayouth said.
Bayouth said one of the most effective school security measures is controlling who enters their buildings.
He said to accomplish this, schools maintain only one unlocked public access point during the school day; visitors will pass through a double-secured entry system before gaining access to student areas.; individuals requesting entry are first screened through an exterior camera and intercom system and office staff verify visitor identity and determine the purpose of the visit before granting access.
“These procedures help ensure that we know who is entering our schools and why they are there,” he said.
Bayouth said 100 percent of classroom doors have automatic locking features anytime a door is closed – it is locked.
Bayouth said CPS has comprehensive security camera coverage.
“Our campuses are monitored through extensive camera systems that provide visibility across school grounds and inside school facilities. These systems serve as both a deterrent and an investigative tool, helping administrators and law enforcement quickly review information when concerns arise,” he said.
Bayouth said the school district has vape and noise detection technology.
“We have implemented specialized detection systems in key areas of our schools designed to alert staff to potential vaping activity and unusual noise events. These technologies provide another layer of awareness and allow for quicker intervention when student safety may be at risk,” he said.
Bayouth said school safety is strongest when schools, families, students, and first responders work together.
“Our staff regularly trains on emergency procedures. We coordinate with law enforcement and emergency management partners. We review practices, evaluate systems, and look for opportunities to improve. Most importantly, we strive to create environments where students feel safe, known, and supported every day,” he said.