District 29 to host forum on emergency plan

It’s not only about education, but also providing a safe school environment. I recently noted that in light of the recent tragedy in Newtown, Con., Somers School District 29 will review emergency plans to see what we can improve upon. To follow through on this, I recently attended an area superintendents’ meeting in which Sheriff Chuck Curry and Deputy Travis Bruyer from Flathead County Sheriff’s Department met with us. They answered questions, listened to our concerns and shared their insights on emergency preparedness. I also attended another gathering put together by the County Superintendent Marcia Sheffels. Sheriff Curry and Deputy Bruyer were in attendance at that meeting, too. This meeting was along the same lines as the superintendents’ session yet even more ideas, questions and insights were shared.

The Somers School Buildings, Facilities, and Grounds Committee also met to address emergency planning and needs and followed that up with a board work session prior to the regularly scheduled January board meeting.

I applaud Sheriff Curry and the entire Flathead County Sheriff’s Department for their efforts in assisting us as we work to upgrade our plans.

Through all of these meetings and related discussion there are a number of things that can be addressed in our two schools and the Somers School Board decided to conduct the next board meeting at Lakeside Elementary School on Feb. 12 at 6 p.m. We will present information on what’s in place at our schools, what options we have to improve the plan, answer your questions, and consider your input.

I extend an invitation to not only parents with children in both Somers and Lakeside School, but to everyone in both communities, whether you have children in school or not. There are many issues and ideas out there and the school board and I want to hear them so we have an emergency plan that makes sense to everyone and fits our school and community.

I commend the school board on their desire to keep you informed and seek your insights and input. I hope you find time in your busy lives to attend this meeting so as a community we are doing everything possible to provide a safe environment for all of our students.

Paul Jenkins,

Superintendent