Lisa Patterson                                    Candidate for Educational Leadership

Summer ’07 Cohort                            EOCS 7450: Practicum in Leadership

Case Study 3

ISLLC Standard 3:  A school administrator is an educational leader who promotes the success of all students by ensuring management of the organization, operations, and resources for a safe, efficient, and effective learning environment.

Name of Case Study: Improvement of the School Safety Plan

Essential Questions of Case Study:

1.     Does the administrative staff demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the principles and issues relating to school safety and security?

2.     Does the administrative staff believe in, value, and commit to a safe environment?

3.     Does the administrative staff facilitate processes and engage in activities ensuring that the school plant, equipment, and support systems operate safely, efficiently, and effectively?

Description of the Situation

Our new principal was eager to review and try the current school safety plan to determine if it was efficient and effective. The administrative staff had met with the system safety supervisor and had updated the system plan. Our system already had a plan in place which included a flip chart addressing the following school emergencies: fires, tornadoes, bomb threats, campus intruders, and weapons. Procedures for handling each emergency were outlined in the flip charts. The system safety supervisor added a new component for this year. At the back of the flip chart, both a green page and red page were inserted. In every emergency situation, teachers were instructed to hold up the green page when students were accounted for and safe. If teachers held up the red page, administrators knew to assist.

Knowledge

Having knowledge and understanding of the principles and issues relating to school safety and security, the administrative staff determined that our initial fire drill was a disaster. First, the fire alarm did not resound in every hall, so the fifth and sixth graders didn’t know to exit the building. Next, the administrative staff could not account for the two physical education classes. Classes were spread out all around the school, so it took too long for administrators to determine everyone’s safety. And finally, there was no procedure in place to account for all faculty and staff members.

Dispositions

Our administrative staff believes in, values, and is committed to ensuring a safe, efficient, and effective learning environment. We met immediately following the fire drill, and strategically planned for improvements in the school wide safety plan.

Performances

Our administrative staff facilitates processes and engages in activities ensuring that the school plant, equipment, and support systems operate safely, efficiently, and effectively. The following action plan was executed:

1.     The county maintenance superintendent was notified of the faulty fire alarm system. He hired electricians to repair the system.

2.     The exit routine was altered to require all students and staff to report to one of four designated areas following a fire drill.

3.     Administrators were assigned to each area to count and account for all students and teachers.

4.     Extra staff members (media, cafeteria, maintenance, secretaries, etc.) were assigned a particular exit designation, and the administrator in charge of that area was given a laminated list with all staff member names to check off.

Answers to the Questions

1.      Yes, the administrative staff demonstrates Accomplished knowledge and understanding of the principles and issues relating to school safety and security. The administrative plan will ensure a safe, efficient, and effective learning environment.

2.     Yes, through strategic planning, the administrative staff demonstrates Accomplished characteristics of belief, value, and commitment to a safe school environment.

3.     Yes, by executing the action plan, the administrative staff facilitates Accomplished processes and engages in activities ensuring that the school plant, equipment, and support systems operate safely, efficiently, and effectively. Every fire drill after the initial drill has been safe, efficient, and effective.