Administration recommends outside safety audit; staff proposes fall start and one‑day per building

The board discussed administration’s recommendation to contract with a safety‑audit vendor to assess building security, procedures and recommended next steps. Administration said it had interviewed potential vendors and worked with a longtime consultant network to identify qualified firms.

Why it matters: The audit would update prior reviews and inform both short‑term and design‑phase safety measures for buildings that will be used during construction and in the new Lincoln building. The board asked for timing and scope details so findings can be implemented in project plans.

What was proposed: Administration outlined a scope that includes interviews with front‑office staff, a door‑hardware review, a walkthrough with facility supervisors and teachers, and a written report with prioritized recommendations. The presenter said the recommended vendor attends a monthly safety‑consultant forum and has conducted thousands of audits; administration proposed starting work in September–October and said the audit typically requires one day in each building with a written report returned in about three weeks.

Questions from trustees focused on history and frequency. The presenter said the district’s last comprehensive audit was completed in the spring of 2021 by the district’s then‑architecture firm, and that police and vendor guidance suggest a three‑ to four‑year audit cadence. Trustees also asked whether the vendor would review construction‑period vulnerabilities and the presenter said the audit would include plan review for the new Lincoln and recommendations for securing active construction sites.

Next steps: The administration recommended returning a proposed contract to the board for approval at the June meeting; no contract was approved at the May meeting. If approved, the audit work would be scheduled for fall and the vendor would present findings (including a closed‑session briefing) and prioritized implementation options.

Sources: Presentation and Q&A with district administration; board meeting packet included the proposed contract language and scope.