Private schools and safety issues

[Anonymous]

I teach at a private school that has many doors that either do not lock or do lock but teaching staff do not have keys to lock them. Is there a governing body to report this to? I've approached the head of school and the facilities director and they don't seem concerned nor are they attempting to rectify the situation. Parents are unaware.

[Anonymous]

If the administration is not being responsive and it’s a safety concern, I would flag it for a board member responsible for buildings & grounds.

[Anonymous]

External doors? Classroom doors? Supply closets? What doors are we talking about here?

[Anonymous]

Are these doors to the outside?
Does the school have active shooter drills and an active shooter plan?

[Anonymous]

Then go talk to Head of the School you ding dong.

[Anonymous]

I would send an email to the head of school so there is a written record. If something happens in the future, then the head of school will be legally liable since he was aware of the situation. Maybe copy the president of the board as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would send an email to the head of school so there is a written record. If something happens in the future, then the head of school will be legally liable since he was aware of the situation. Maybe copy the president of the board as well.

I've already emailed all appropriate parties in the school. If I email the board I am 100% sure I will get fired for speaking up. Will not name the school. One outside door does not latch shut unless each person who uses it remembers to pull it shut all the way. Several classroom doors either do not lock or teachers don't have the key to lock them. Almost no closet doors lock. If I don't get a satisfactory answer this week, I will let some influential parents know and then turn in my resignation. I don't feel safe and our students aren't safe either. I did not intend to upset anyone here so if it helps this school is not in the DC or Northeast area.

[Anonymous]

I’m sorry that this is happening to you, OP. Absolutely you should email the board and let parents know if the administrators are unresponsive.

[Anonymous]

What about an anonymous letter (on paper, not email) to all board members and the head of school? Openly cc all of them, so they know that they all now have this information. Point out the obvious safety and liability issues. Sign it as a community member. Send certified via US Post.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would send an email to the head of school so there is a written record. If something happens in the future, then the head of school will be legally liable since he was aware of the situation. Maybe copy the president of the board as well.

I've already emailed all appropriate parties in the school. If I email the board I am 100% sure I will get fired for speaking up. Will not name the school. One outside door does not latch shut unless each person who uses it remembers to pull it shut all the way. Several classroom doors either do not lock or teachers don't have the key to lock them. Almost no closet doors lock. If I don't get a satisfactory answer this week, I will let some influential parents know and then turn in my resignation. I don't feel safe and our students aren't safe either. I did not intend to upset anyone here so if it helps this school is not in the DC or Northeast area.

If you are willing to resign over this, then why not email the board directly? So you get fired. You would leave anyway.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would send an email to the head of school so there is a written record. If something happens in the future, then the head of school will be legally liable since he was aware of the situation. Maybe copy the president of the board as well.

I've already emailed all appropriate parties in the school. If I email the board I am 100% sure I will get fired for speaking up. Will not name the school. One outside door does not latch shut unless each person who uses it remembers to pull it shut all the way. Several classroom doors either do not lock or teachers don't have the key to lock them. Almost no closet doors lock. If I don't get a satisfactory answer this week, I will let some influential parents know and then turn in my resignation. I don't feel safe and our students aren't safe either. I did not intend to upset anyone here so if it helps this school is not in the DC or Northeast area.

Uhhh sorry, all of those sound frustrating for a teacher but not safety issues as far as a private school is concerned... they aren't great but enforcement wise, it is like someone in your house leaving the front door unlocked. The only person who can do anything is the owner of the house and if they don't mind, it will never really matter no matter how loudly you hit your spoon against a pan in protest.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would send an email to the head of school so there is a written record. If something happens in the future, then the head of school will be legally liable since he was aware of the situation. Maybe copy the president of the board as well.

I've already emailed all appropriate parties in the school. If I email the board I am 100% sure I will get fired for speaking up. Will not name the school. One outside door does not latch shut unless each person who uses it remembers to pull it shut all the way. Several classroom doors either do not lock or teachers don't have the key to lock them. Almost no closet doors lock. If I don't get a satisfactory answer this week, I will let some influential parents know and then turn in my resignation. I don't feel safe and our students aren't safe either. I did not intend to upset anyone here so if it helps this school is not in the DC or Northeast area.

Uhhh sorry, all of those sound frustrating for a teacher but not safety issues as far as a private school is concerned... they aren't great but enforcement wise, it is like someone in your house leaving the front door unlocked. The only person who can do anything is the owner of the house and if they don't mind, it will never really matter no matter how loudly you hit your spoon against a pan in protest.

NP. It is absolutely a safety issue if classroom doors don't lock. The first thing a teacher would do in the event of a school shooter is lock the classroom door and turn off the lights.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would send an email to the head of school so there is a written record. If something happens in the future, then the head of school will be legally liable since he was aware of the situation. Maybe copy the president of the board as well.

I've already emailed all appropriate parties in the school. If I email the board I am 100% sure I will get fired for speaking up. Will not name the school. One outside door does not latch shut unless each person who uses it remembers to pull it shut all the way. Several classroom doors either do not lock or teachers don't have the key to lock them. Almost no closet doors lock. If I don't get a satisfactory answer this week, I will let some influential parents know and then turn in my resignation. I don't feel safe and our students aren't safe either. I did not intend to upset anyone here so if it helps this school is not in the DC or Northeast area.

Uhhh sorry, all of those sound frustrating for a teacher but not safety issues as far as a private school is concerned... they aren't great but enforcement wise, it is like someone in your house leaving the front door unlocked. The only person who can do anything is the owner of the house and if they don't mind, it will never really matter no matter how loudly you hit your spoon against a pan in protest.

NP. It is absolutely a safety issue if classroom doors don't lock. The first thing a teacher would do in the event of a school shooter is lock the classroom door and turn off the lights.

Sorry I should have said regulated safety issue. Would it be safer to be able to lock the classroom doors, yes, but it isn't considered an issue like a fire hazard would...

[Anonymous]

Our school had a security breach. A homeless got in the school 2 years ago, and still there is no improvement in security. Anyone can enter the school at pick up time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would send an email to the head of school so there is a written record. If something happens in the future, then the head of school will be legally liable since he was aware of the situation. Maybe copy the president of the board as well.

I've already emailed all appropriate parties in the school. If I email the board I am 100% sure I will get fired for speaking up. Will not name the school. One outside door does not latch shut unless each person who uses it remembers to pull it shut all the way. Several classroom doors either do not lock or teachers don't have the key to lock them. Almost no closet doors lock. If I don't get a satisfactory answer this week, I will let some influential parents know and then turn in my resignation. I don't feel safe and our students aren't safe either. I did not intend to upset anyone here so if it helps this school is not in the DC or Northeast area.

Uhhh sorry, all of those sound frustrating for a teacher but not safety issues as far as a private school is concerned... they aren't great but enforcement wise, it is like someone in your house leaving the front door unlocked. The only person who can do anything is the owner of the house and if they don't mind, it will never really matter no matter how loudly you hit your spoon against a pan in protest.

NP. It is absolutely a safety issue if classroom doors don't lock. The first thing a teacher would do in the event of a school shooter is lock the classroom door and turn off the lights.

Sorry I should have said regulated safety issue. Would it be safer to be able to lock the classroom doors, yes, but it isn't considered an issue like a fire hazard would...

Over the last 40 years, there's only been one school shooting where a locked door did not stop casualties. It is literally the first line of defense and school admins who don't ensure there are working locks on doors are committing gross negligence.