SCHOOL SAFETY AUDIT CHECKLIST

SCHOOL EXTERIOR AND PLAY AREAS

YES
NO
IMPLEMENT
IMPROVE

1. School grounds are fenced.

a. What kind

If yes, approximate height

There is one clearly marked and designated entrance for visitors

Signs are posted for visitors to report to main office through a designated entrance.

Restricted areas are clearly marked

All poisonous shrubs, trees, and foliage have been removed.

Shrubs near building have been trimmed "up" to allow view of bottom of building

Bus loading and drop-off zones are clearly defined.

Access to bus loading area is restricted to other vehicles during loading/unloading.

Staff is assigned to bus loading/drop off areas.
There is a schedule for maintenance of:
Outside lights
Locks/Hardware
Storage Sheds
Windows
Other exterior buildings

SCHOOL SAFETY AUDIT CHECKLIST

SCHOOL EXTERIOR
YES
NO

IMPLEMENT
IMPROVE

1.
Parent drop-off and pick-up area is clearly defined.

There is adequate lighting around the building.

Lighting is provided at entrances and other points of possible intrusion.

The school ground is free from trash or debris.

Visual surveillance of bicycle racks is possible.

Visual surveillance of parking lots from main office is possible
Parking lot is lighted properly and all lights are functioning

Driver education vehicles are secure.

Student access to parking area is restricted to arrival and dismissal
times.

Staff and visitor parking has been designated

Outside hardware has been removed from all doors except at points of entry.

Ground floor windows:

a. no broken panes,
b. locking hardware in working order

SCHOOL SAFETY AUDIT CHECKLIST

SCHOOL EXTERIOR
YES
NO
IMPLEMENT
IMPROVE

Basement windows are protected with grill or well cover.

Doors are locked when classrooms are vacant.

High-risk areas are protected by high security locks and an alarm system

a. Main office
b. Cafeteria
c. Computer Labs

d. Industrial Arts rooms

e. Science labs
f.

Nurses Office

g. Boiler Room
h. Electrical Rooms
i.

Phone line access closet

Unused areas of the school can be closed off during after school activities.

There is two-way communication between the main office and:

a. Classroom
b. Duty stations
c. Re-locatable classrooms
d. Staff and faculty outside building
e. Buses
Students are restricted from loitering in corridors, hallways, and restrooms.

"Restricted" areas are properly identified.

There are written regulations restricting student access to school grounds

and buildings.
********

SCHOOL SAFETY AUDIT CHECKLIST

SCHOOL INTERIOR
YES
NO
IMPLEMENT
IMPROVE

1. There is a central alarm system in the school. If yes, briefly describe:

The main entrance is visible from the main office.

There is only one clearly marked and designated entrance for visitors.

Multiple entries to the building are controlled and supervised.

Administrative staff maintain a highly visible profile

Signage directing visitors to the main office are clearly posted

Visitors are required to sign in.

Visitors are issued I.D. cards or badges.

Proper identification is required of vendors, repairmen.

All staff - Full and part-time staff are issued ID cards that is worn in a manner that is visible

The following areas are properly lighted:

a. Hallways
b. Bathrooms
c. Stairwells

Hallways and Bathrooms are supervised by staff.

The bathroom walls are free of graffiti.

Doors accessing internal courtyards are securely locked from the inside

Exit signs are clearly visible and pointing in the correct direction.

Switches and controls are properly located and protected.

Access to electrical panels is restricted.

The possibility of lower energy consumption and high lighting levels with more efficient light sources has been explored.

Directional lights are aimed at the building.

SCHOOL SAFETY AUDIT CHECKLIST

SCHOOL INTERIOR
YES
NO

IMPLEMENT
IMPROVE

School files and records are maintained in locked, vandal proof, fireproof
containers or vaults.
The school maintains a record of all maintenance on doors, windows,
lockers, or other areas of he school.
If a classroom is vacant, students are restricted from entering the room alone.
Friends, relatives or non-custodial parents are required to have written
permission to pick up a student from school.
Students are required to have written permission to leave school during
school hours.
Full and part-time staff including bus drivers are issued I.D. cards or other
identification.
There are written regulations regarding access and control of school
personnel using the building after school hours.

Staff members who remain after school hours are required to sign out.

Faculty members are required to lock classrooms upon leaving.

One person is designated to perform the following security checks at the end
of day:

a. That all classrooms and offices are locked

b. All restrooms are empty
c. All locker rooms are empty
d. Check all exterior entrances are locked
e. Check all night lights are working
f.

Check the alarm system

The telephone numbers of the principal or other designated contact person are provided to the police department so the police can
make contact in the event of a suspicious or emergency situation.

SCHOOL SAFETY AUDIT CHECKLIST

SCHOOL INTERIOR
YES
NO
IMPLEMENT
IMPROVE

Law enforcement personnel and/or community residents monitor school grounds after school hours.
All school equipment is permanently marked with an Identification Number.

An up-to-date inventory is maintained for all expendable school supplies.

Secure storage is available for valuable items

a. During school hours

After school
There is a policy for handling cash received at the school.
There is regular maintenance and/or testing of the entire security alarm system
at least every six months.
Are classrooms numbered with reflective material:
Over door
On bottom of door
On exterior window
Has consideration been given to replacing interior doors with large windows to
doors with small windows
Has consideration been given to replacing present classroom locks with locks
that can be activated from the inside
Does the P.A. system work properly
Can it be accessed from several areas in the school
Can it be heard, and understood, outside
Has consideration been given to establishing a greeters window inside first set
of exterior doors

Are convex mirrors used to see around corners in hallways

Are convex mirrors used to see up and down stairwells

SCHOOL INTERIOR
YES
NO
IMPLEMENT
IMPROVE

Do all exterior doors have signs requiring visitors to report to the main office to sign in and obtain I.D.
Has consideration been given to installing Proximity Readers on certain exterior doors
Has consideration been given to installing strobe lights or flashing lights on exterior of building to warn staff and students outside of
problems

How do you communicate during emergencies

a. Two way radios

b. Cell phones
c. Pagers
d. Other

Who is issued two way radios

a. Administrators
b. Custodians

Members of the Emergency Response Team

Other
There is a control system in place to monitor keys and duplicates.
Exterior light fixtures are securely mounted.
Mechanical rooms and hazardous storage areas are locked.
Fire drills are conducted as required by New York Education Law
A record of health permits is maintained.
A record of Fire Inspection by the local or state Fire Officer is maintained.
*******

DEVELOPMENT / ENFORCEMENT OF POLICIES

YES
NO
IMPLEMENT
IMPROVE

1.
The Student Conduct Policy is reviewed and updated annually.

A visitor policy is in effect, requiring a sign-in procedure for all visitors,

including visible identification.

The school has a Crisis Management Plan in effect that is reviewed and
updated annually.

The Incident Command System is an integral part of the Safety Plan.

A chain-of-command has been established for the school when the principal
and/or other administrators are away from the building.
The school has implemented pro-active security measures on campus, at
school-sponsored activities, and on all school property (i.e., school buses).
Disciplinary consequences for infractions to the Code of Conduct are fairly
and consistently enforced.

Parents are an integral part of student discipline procedures and actions.

Alternatives to suspensions and expulsions have been built into the discipline
policy and are consistently used.
Behavioral expectations and consequences for violations are clearly outlined
in the Code of Conduct, including sanctions for weapon and drug offenses
and all other criminal acts.
Parents are an integral part of the schools safety planning and policy making.

Parents are an integral part of students discipline procedures and actions.

The policy provides a system(s) whereby staff and students may report problems or incidents anonymously.
Specific policies and/or procedures are in place that detail staff members responsibilities for monitoring and supervising students
outside the classroom, such as in hallways, cafeteria, rest rooms, etc.
The school has implemented a pro-active policy regarding parental actions during sporting events.
***********
PROCEDURES FOR DATA COLLECTION
YES
NO
IMPLEMENT
IMPROVE

1. All Violations of state and federal law are reported to law enforcement.
An incident reporting procedure for disruptive and violent students has been established in accordance with the SAVE Legislation
requirements.

Records or data have been established and are analyzed to identify recurring problems.
Accident reports are filed when a student is injured on school property or during school-related activities.

The incident reporting system is reviewed and updated annually.

***********

INTERVENTION AND PREVENTION PLANS

YES
NO
IMPLEMENT
IMPROVE

1.
Students have access to conflict resolution programs.

Students are assisted in developing anger management skills.

Diversity awareness is emphasized.

Programs are available for students who are academically at-risk.

Students may seek help without the loss of confidentiality.

Students and parents are aware of community resources.

Character education is taught as part of the curriculum in accordance

with the SAVE Legislation requirements.

***********

STAFF DEVELOPMENT
YES
NO
IMPLEMENT
IMPROVE

1.
Administrators and staff (including security and law enforcement

personnel) are trained in conflict resolution methods.

Administrators and staff (including security and law enforcement

personnel) are trained in implementation of the Crisis Management Plan.

Administrators and staff are trained in personal safety.

School security officers (NOT law enforcement) receive in-service training for their responsibilities.
STAFF DEVELOPMENT
YES
NO
IMPLEMENT
IMPROVE

School Resource Officers (law enforcement) receive in-service training for their responsibilities.

School volunteers receive training to perform their duties.

Teachers and staff are made aware of their legal responsibilities for the enforcement of safety rules, policies, and state and federal
laws.
School safety and violence prevention information is regularly provided as part staff development plan in accordance with the
SAVE Legislation requirements
Staff development opportunities extend to support staff, including cafeteria workers, custodial staff, secretarial staff, and bus

drivers.
***********
OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENT INVOLVEMENT
YES
NO
IMPLEMENT
IMPROVE

1. Students are represented on the School Safety Team.

The school provides opportunities for student leadership related to violence prevention and safety issues.

The school provides adequate recognition opportunities for all students.

Students are adequately instructed in their responsibility to avoid becoming victims of violence (i.e., by avoiding high-risk
situations, etc.).
***********
LEVEL OF PARENT AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
YES
NO
IMPLEMENT
IMPROVE

The community supports the schools programs and activities that teach safety and non-violence.
School activities, services, and curricula reflect the characteristics of the students and the community.
School safety planning reflects the neighborhood, including crime and hazardous conditions.

Parents are an integral part of the schools safety planning and policymaking.
Parents are aware of behavioral expectations and are informed of changes in a timely manner.
Local businesses and other community groups are involved in the schools safety planning.
**********

ROLE OF LAW ENFORCEMENT

YES
NO
IMPLEMENT
IMPROVE

1.
Incidents of crime that occur on school property or at school-related

events are reported to law enforcement.

Law Enforcement is consulted on matters that may fall below the

threshold of criminal activity.

Law enforcement personnel are an integral part of the schools safety

planning process.

The school has developed an effective partnership with local law

enforcement.

The school and local law enforcement have developed an agreement of

understanding, defining the roles and responsibilities of both.

Law enforcement personnel provide a visible presence on campus

during school hours and at school-related events.

Local law enforcement provides after hours patrols of the school site.

***********

DEVELOPMENT OF A CRISIS MANAGEMENT PLAN

YES
NO
IMPLEMENT
IMPROVE

1.
The school has a Crisis Management Plan.

a. Reviewed on an annual basis

b. Plan developed by the building safety team

c. Team membership is in accordance with minimum requirements
of the SAVE Legislation
d. Meets minimum requirements of the SAVE Legislation
The school has established a well-coordinated emergency plan with law
enforcement and other crisis response agencies.
Categories listed in the plan should include, but may not be limited to, the
following:
a. Natural Disasters
b. Accidents
c. Acts of Violence
d. Death
e. Loss of power
f.

Fire

The following components of the Crisis Management Plan are practiced on a

quarterly basis
a. Lockdown
b. Lockout

c. Shelter in place

d. Evacuation of Building (can be done on a semi-annual basis)

***********
STANDARDS FOR SECURITY PERSONNEL
YES
NO
IMPLEMENT
IMPROVE

1.
This school does employ security personnel.

Pre-employment background checks are conducted for security

personnel.

School security personnel meet a standard for training and qualifications

as mandated by New York State.

Security personnel have clearly defined roles and responsibilities.

Security personnel are involved in the schools safe school planning

process.

Security personnel are knowledgeable about youth service providers,

both in and out of the school.