John Matthews
WMAL.com

ROCKVILLE — (WMAL) Montgomery County School Superintendent Dr. Jack Smith has announced a review of security measures in county schools in response to the concerns raised in the wake of the alleged rape of a 14-year-old student at Rockville High School on March 16th.

In an email sent to families and staff, Smith said the review will begin with high schools in early April, focusing on a wide variety of issues, from staffing levels to access limitations, technology, protocols and resource allocation.

The Montgomery County Board of Education meets Thursday evening for the first time since the March 16th attack, and public comments about the attack are expected to be made by board members, Smith and members of the public.

In addition, a rally at the Board of Education by concerned parents is scheduled to get underway shortly before the 6 pm meeting.

Here is the complete text of Superintendent Smith’s email to the community:

A Message from Montgomery County Public Schools

Our Commitment to School Safety

Dear MCPS Community,

The recent tragic incident at Rockville High School has caused all of us to stop and reflect on our work to ensure the safety and security of our students. While MCPS has a robust security system that includes thousands of cameras in schools, school- and central office-based security personnel, engaged teachers and administrators, and a partnership with the Montgomery County Police Department, we must always consider opportunities to improve school safety.

With this in mind, I want to share with you the steps we are taking to review our school safety and security protocols. In collaboration with school administrators and other departments, the Department of School Safety and Security will be conducting security reviews at all schools, beginning with high schools in early April.

As part of the review, we will examine security procedures already in place to determine the appropriate next steps for individual schools. The assessments will focus on the following areas:

• Utilization of school security personnel and other staff
• Resource allocation and management
• Facilities enhancements to restrict or limit access to more isolated areas of school buildings and grounds
• Technology infrastructure, including security cameras, and their use
• Procedures for managing students outside the classroom
• Protocols for responding to allegations of student-to-student sexual harassment or assault

Following the review, we will work closely with each school on next steps, including strengthening security procedures where needed. As a part of this process, we will be benchmarking best practices with other school districts and youth-serving organizations.

Even as we begin our systemwide security review, my thoughts continue to be with the victim and Rockville High School community as they heal in the wake of this tragic incident. I am so proud of the students and staff at that school who have come together to support the victim and one another. They are truly “Rockville Strong.” I thank all of the community members who have supported our schools in this difficult time.

Sincerely,
Jack R. Smith Ph.D.
Superintendent of Schools

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