School Safety Conferences Planned Across W.Va. For Spring

The West Virginia Department of Education plans to hold school safety conferences for educators and administrators this spring. 

The one-day conferences are still in the planning phases, and dates have not been finalized, but the sessions are scheduled for May in Lewisburg, Romney, Wheeling and Charleston. The regional conferences will bring together county and school administrators, as well as school safety personnel, to share administrative updates that are important during a crisis event. 

Topics include updates to how plans are submitted on the state’s system and the coding of student data. 

“The purpose of these trainings will be to provide support with the updated crisis response planning tool,” Jonah Adkins, director of the office of pre-K through 12 academic support for the West Virginia Department of Education told the state Board of Education at their monthly meeting March 13.

The FBI will offer insights on local, regional and national issues facing schools and school-age children, and the Office of Homeland Security will brief attendees on its work with communities and schools.

“We do have FBI agents that will be present with us as well, just to share the most current research for effective planning and preparation for emergencies,” Adkins said. “As always, I’m continuing to work with our partners at Homeland Security to refine and strengthen our safety protocols and processes.”

The Department of Education regularly holds regional training conferences, such as to prepare schools for the implementation of the Third Grade Success Act.