New security systems at entrances to Great Bend USD 428 elementary schools should be in place by the end of December, Superintendent Brad Reed said.
Enhanced security at the middle school and high school will take a little longer.
“We’re in the middle of a security audit,” Reed told the school board Monday. Administrators at the District Office have been talking with principals about how to secure the buildings.
Earlier this year, the district had Dayton Security install a buzz-in system at Riley Elementary School. Assistant Administrator Khris Thexton said visitors press an intercom buzzer and are seen on camera by someone in the office, who can release the door lock so the visitor can enter the school. Now those systems will be installed at the other four elementary schools and Washington Early Education Center.
Next week a security expert will walk through Great Bend Middle School and Great Bend High School before making suggestions. Although those buildings can’t be locked down as easily as the grade schools, there are things that can be done to improve security. For example, it should be more clear which entrances may be used, and the system for numbering rooms should be uniform so it is easy to find a specific area quickly.
“A lot of it is little things that will go a long way,” Thexton said.

Run, Hide or Fight?
School Liaison Officer Jefferson Davis from the Great Bend Police Department is also helping. Last Friday he presented training on “Run, Hide or Fight,” also called ALICE training, at one of the schools. ALICE stands for Alert-Lockdown-Inform-Counter-Evacuate,
The half-hour presentation was well received, and Davis will take it to each of the buildings, Thexton said. The training is intended to empower teachers by showing them strategies for keeping themselves and students safe in an emergency such as an active shooter situation