Reminders About School Safety and Security

Over the last few years Holland Public Schools has done much to update our safety measures and have worked collaboratively with first responders to ensure we are doing everything we can to prevent and minimize events like these.   

We have various safety protocols to protect students, teachers, and staff. Our safety measures include, but are not limited to:

• locked entryways and door buzzers
• security cameras
• lockdown drills and procedures
• mental health resources
• a variety of proactive measures, plans, and interventions to address individual student behaviors

In addition, we partner with the Holland Police Department and have Community Police Officers supporting all of our schools.  We continue to work with the Holland Police and emergency responders on our safety protocols, which are now coordinated with our Director of Safety and Security, Joe Soto.  There was extensive work over the summer to update our policies and procedures for the beginning of the school year.   

As a district, we will continue to advocate for legislation that will support maintaining safe and secure schools through funding and policies. We urge you to do the same.  

If you see something, say something!  

The best preventative safety measure we can have in place is a community that notifies authorities and school personnel when a threat arises. In most instances, there have been warning signs.   

We also have to acknowledge that after previous tragedies, schools have been overwhelmed with threats and reports of threats (most intentionally false).  We previously sent the following reminder to families about making threats concerning school safety:

In today’s world of “social media” and the constant barrage of information, both accurate and inaccurate, we encourage you to share that we are a safe place and dispel any rumors that you hear.   Now, more than ever, we need to equip our students with the truth as it relates to school safety and work together to communicate any questionable behavior, conversations, or threats to those who can help. 

When a threat is brought to our attention, we investigate it immediately and thoroughly.  These investigations can vary with each case, but are likely to include getting statements from student witnesses, backpack checks, computer history checks, violence risk assessments, home visits (when applicable), and/or involvement of law enforcement (when applicable).  

If a comment or threat is substantiated, the response can vary depending on the severity.  At a minimum, a specific safety plan will be in place with consequences, but severe threats could lead to criminal charges and exclusionary consequences up to permanent expulsion from school.  

We also want to address the additional issue of “copycat” threats.  We urge you (where appropriate) to talk with your child(ren) about the seriousness of making copycat threats concerning the school. We would hate for a student, or group of students, to make a mistake of this magnitude and suffer the consequences that would follow. 

Below is a list of possible charges for making a threat against a school: 

• Threat of Terrorism - 20 Years and/or $20,000.00; reimburse government for expenses incurred from violation (see MCL 750.543x & 769.1f) 
• False Threat of Terrorism - 20 Years and/or $20,000.00; reimburse government for expenses incurred from violation (see MCL 750.543x & 769.1f) 
• Use of Internet/Telecommunications to Commit Terrorism - 20 Years and/or $20,000.00; reimburse government for expenses incurred from violation (see MCL 750.543x & 769.1f) 
• Intentional threat to commit an act of violence against a school - 1 Year misdemeanor and/or $1,000.00 
• Intentional Threat to Commit Act of Violence Against School, School Employees or Students with Specific Intent to Carry Out or Overt Act Toward - 10 Years and/or $20,000.00 
• Use of a Computer to Commit a Crime - Generally same as the crime committed up to a maximum of 20 years

We will always err on the side of caution in regards to student and staff safety and will communicate with you if there is ever a need for concern.  We continue to promote the use of OK2Say program and the ability to anonymously report concerns to people who can help. OK2Say is available 24/7 and tips can be submitted in the following ways: 

• Call: 8-555-OK2SAY (855-565-2729) 

• Text: 652729 (OK2SAY) 

• Email: OK2SAY@mi.gov 

• OK2SAY website: ok2say.com 

• OK2SAY mobile app: Available for download in app stores for iPhone and Android 

You can be a part of improving safety and security HPS 

Director Soto is establishing a Parent Safety Committee at Holland Public Schools. The purpose of this committee will be to discuss safety issues and concerns, policies that are safety-related, and ideas about steps to ensure safety. The committee will be made up of parents from all HPS facilities.  They will meet on second Wednesday of every month, 6:30-8:30pm at District Admin Bldg.  Please sign up to be a part of this important parent committee.

Please reach out if you have questions or concerns, but please trust that we are working tirelessly to keep our schools safe, secure, and predictable. 

Sincerely,

Nick Cassidy

Superintendent - Holland Public Schools