Vermont Schools Urged to Review Safety Plans

Schools in Vermont were urged to review safety protocols following the school shooting in Connecticut and at least one district restricted access to its five schools by locking the front doors after a concern was raised by a staff member.

The Burlington schools had counselors and school psychologists ready to respond to students if needed, said Burlington Superintendent Jeanne Collins. School officials also met Burlington Police and Fire Departments on Monday afternoon for a regular meeting to discuss safety needs in light of the shooting.

“While no amount of planning can guarantee that a tragedy such as this will not occur, we are doing everything we know to keep students and staff safe while at school,” said Collins in a message to parents and community members.

The school asked parents and community members to help keep the schools safe by checking in with school offices when they enter a school and to direct anyone they see without an identification or visitor’s badge to the office to get one.

In neighboring South Burlington, officials locked the front doors to the five public schools and community library after a ‘non-specific’ concern arose on Monday.

The school district was working with South Burlington police following a concern that was brought up by a staff member Monday, said Superintendent David Young. The schools and community library, which is attached to the high school, are under restricted access through at least Wednesday. A staff member will be at doors to let people in.

He would not say what the concern was, but said the schools are taking the precautions in light of the school shooting in Connecticut.