The Buffalo School District says it is being vigilant in its response to Friday's mass shooting in Connecticut. In a statement, the district says it is deeply saddened by today's tragic events and is praying for the victims and the community of Newtown.
Security efforts were stepped up for dismissal and home transportation Friday afternoon. An incident coordination team of schools officials and security personnel was assembled upon learning of the mass shooting. An enhanced crisis team is in place to provide counseling throughout the weekend.
Associate Schools Superintendent Will Keresztes says steps are being taken to ensure that security equipment throughout the district is functioning properly.
"All of our schools are equipped with security cameras, buzzers for accessing the building, and automatic locks on doors. There will be conversations...to make sure that those devices are working effectively," Keresztes said.
Keresztes says the district owns portable metal detectors that are used periodically at the discretion of the superintendent and the chief of police. He says conversations about district security will take place throughout the weekend.
"We realize that as school officials, we are responsible for the safety and security, if you're a building principal, for hundreds of children and adults in the building every day. I am certain that principals will be up all night tonight thinking through every possible aspect of their work as building leaders to make sure that they are taking all the possible steps that they can to keep their schools safe," Keresztes said.
The administrator says the district is confident in its security measures, but he says there is always something that can be learned from such tragedies.
