Dear Team DPS,
On March 23, the DPS Board of Education tasked me with developing a districtwide Long-term Operational Safety Plan. On May 1, we released version 1.0 of the plan, and version 2.0 on May 26. There were rounds of community engagement that took place between each launch. Thanks to the extensive feedback from our community, we have been able to have meaningful and important conversations about safety within and around our buildings. Today, we are sharing the final version of the Plan. Access the executive summary and final version of the Long-Term Operational Safety Plan here.
Key changes that were made based on community feedback of version 2.0 include:
School Resource Officers (SROs)
Following the adoption of Executive Limitations 10.10 by the Board of Education on June 15, 2023, I have been directed to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Denver Police Department to return school resource officers to some DPS high schools.
Building Design
Since every school building is unique and presents different safety concerns through their design, DPS will conduct safety audits at every school using the Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED) Program to determine what immediate and long-term safety measures can be improved or added to the physical infrastructure of the building.
Mental Health Services
DPS is committed to at least one mental health support staff member at every school. We will have more than 400 service providers serving our family of 200 schools.
Weapons Detection
The determination of a weapon detection system at a school or district building will be a site-based decision with extensive community engagement before a final decision is made for that building.
Student Searches
If a student is being searched because of a potential weapon, the DPS Department of Climate and Safety will provide additional support in conducting those searches.
Through the creation process of the Plan, we have learned that addressing the safety and climate of our schools and buildings is not something we can do on our own -- this work requires extensive collaboration with the City of Denver and our broader community.
Safety is a layered approach that encompasses many different areas including mental health supports, training within the existing work day, technology, buildings and systems. This plan is not the last word on school safety for Denver Public Schools, but rather the beginning of a process of continuous improvement. We will continue our work to address the enduring pain experienced by many through a deeper focus on trauma-informed and restorative practices.
Thank you students, parents, staff and community members for your participation in the creation of this plan.
In collaboration,
Dr. Alex Marrero
Superintendent
