Intruder drill provides insight into response time for police, students

McCOOK, Neb. – The recent intruder drill at McCook High School yielded some interesting facts, according to the McCook Schools superintendent.

In addition to learning how fast law enforcement can arrive at the school in a crisis situation — multiple officers were on scene with two minutes — Superintendent Grant Norgaard also said he found out how quick students can react.

“They can do a real good job barricading the doors,” Norgaard said with amusement at the McCook School Board Monday night at the regular meeting.

The drill, coordinated by Craig Dickes, McCook Senior High vice principal, went very well overall, Norgaard said, with some students evacuated to nearby sites and others in lock-down status. Students and teachers were aware a drill would occur but did not know the exact time, he said. The drill in involved the local police department, fire department and paramedics.

It was the first extensive drill conducted in some time, Norgaard said, who recognized Dickes’ year-long organization of it.

“The drill reinforced that the things we are doing is sound,” Dickes told the board. “Working with the other agencies in town was a very positive experience.”

Board member Bob Elder asked if parents were informed and Norgaard replied that robocalls were used, notes sent home and the radio and newspaper notified. The high school received only one phone call about the drill, Dickes said.

At the beginning of the meeting, the board was presented with a plaque by Laura Escobedo, research coordinator specialist of “Learning Frontiers” at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, for being part of a national study on students transitioning from pre-school to older grades.

The board also heard from McCook Elementary principal Greg Borland, who said an official board has been created for PTO, that will take the reins this fall and that PTO will be supplying McCook Elementary students with water and other items at the track meets that take place this week.

During board comments, board member Loretta Hauxwell said she recently toured the newly remodeled weight room and math room.

Norgaard said during administrator comments that the new business manager will be in McCook July 2 with current manager, Rick Haney, leaving the end of June. A process will be put into place for that transition, he said, with currently an audit of the food service program on May 17.

The board made brief comments about commencement ceremonies Sunday, with board member Teresa Thomas citing baccalaureate and board member Loretta Hauxwell, scholarships that were recognized at the graduation ceremony. Board president Tom Bredvick added that the Community Foundation and McCook National Bank gave students several graduation gifts.

Positive comments at the end of the meeting included:

— board member Teresa Thomas: the year-long fundraising efforts of Senior Celebration was a good experience as she enjoyed getting to know all the parents. Senior Celebration takes place after graduation and includes games, activities, foods and gifts for graduating seniors.

— board member Bob Elder: thanked everyone involved in the 12-year process of getting seniors to graduation, including parents and family members, mentors, teacher/ staff and those who help with student sports/extra-curricular activities.

— board member Loretta Hauxwell: recognized three recent “art” events, including the choir and band concerts and theater students.

— board president Tom Bredvick: It’s “crush season” for the maintenance staff, he said, as they wrap up the current school year and prepare school grounds for next year. Bredvick also commented on his “favorite day of the year” as a board member, graduation, noting how students are always excited and anxious at the same time as they cross the stage for their diploma.

— Superintendent Grant Norgaard: thanked Dickes again for the work he put in coordinating the intruder drill at the high school. “ A lot of time, energy and stress was put into that,” he said.