ACADEMY STAFF REPORT RECOMMENDATIONS
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Discuss, review and acknowledge receipt of the Intruder Detection Audit Report submitted by the Texas School Safety Center and approve related corrective actions to enhance safety and security measures at Westlake Academy (Head of School Dr. Kelly Ritchie)
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STAFF: Dr. Kelly Ritchie, Head of School
NOTE: Related Item Executive Session I.1.
BACKGROUND:
The top priority of Westlake Academy and the State of Texas is keeping students and staff safe every day. The Texas School Safety Center recently conducted an Intruder Detection Audit at the Westlake Academy campus. The audit tests whether a campus is accessible to an unauthorized individual. This audit, conducted as part of Governor Abbott’s school safety directives for all school systems following the tragedy in Uvalde, seeks to help districts identify how campuses can improve safety for students, such as ensuring exterior doors are locked. The audit provides us with an opportunity to create a safer learning environment for our students and staff.
We are working to ensure that we are training all our staff and securing our doors for the protection of everyone on campus. The support from the state in conducting the Intruder Detection Audits is just one of the many actions we are taking to ensure our school is safe. We know that this work does not end, and we appreciate the Board’s support.
We acknowledge that parents and community members are likely very interested in the details of the audit results; however, it is in the best interest of the students that we do not share this information to the broader public as it could lead to compromising important campus security information. Specific details of the Intruder Detection Audit will be discussed in the executive session. Westlake Academy is committed to providing a safe and secure learning environment for our students and staff.