School safety a priority for WBCSD

School safety is and has been a priority of the board and staff of the West Bonner County School District. As a former WBCSD trustee (2013 to 2022) the district has spent over $600,000 toward facility safety improvements including improved door locks, alarms, cameras (including Bonner County Dispatch access), beacon light system, intercom systems, replacing doors, perimeter fencing, single point of entry access through buzzer and many other continuous safety improvements to all school buildings.

In a mutually beneficial relationship, the WBCSD pays the city of Priest River for an additional patrol officer and WBCSD is currently given a $3.68 an hour savings in return and receives a school resource officer that is a Idaho POST certified supervisor and K9 drug detection team who has over 2,000 POST hours including but not limited to active shooter response, SRO basic, SRO advanced, NRA Shield Program, Missing & Exploited Children investigator training and crisis intervention team.

The SRO improves safety of students and staff by being a police officer, educator and a counselor for all depending on the situation. $439,109 of the levy each year is designated to continue to fund school safety infrastructure projects and to keep the SRO in our schools. All WBCSD students have a right to be and feel safe while at school. Public education is a constitutional education (Idaho Constitution Article IX). 

DREW McLAIN

Priest River