District safety update: eight weapons-screening units installed, volunteer screening aligned with state statute

Mr. Dustin Jenkins updated the St. James Parish School Board on district safety and security initiatives, reporting operational changes and equipment upgrades and asking the board to note the progress rather than vote on any new requests tonight.

Jenkins said the district "now have eight screening units across six different campuses," noting units are deployed at every high school campus and two upper-elementary campuses. He described a new digital reporting tool to track utilization of the screening units and said staff are working with school leaders to increase consistent use where needed. Jenkins also reported expansion of the district’s camera coverage, including eight new cameras now live at the softball complex, and said the district is planning additional camera deployment tied to upcoming projects.

On volunteer protocols, Jenkins cited Louisiana Revised Statute 15.587.3 and said the district is using that statute as the basis for background checks for volunteers who may be in one-on-one contact with students. He also reported a district-wide audit of AEDs and stop-the-bleed kits that identified several nonserviceable AEDs; staff purchased three replacement units to restore compliance with recommended equipment standards. Jenkins said future priorities include tabletop exercises, campus drills, perimeter-fencing evaluations and continued camera expansion.

Jenkins told the board he was not requesting any approvals tonight and offered the update to inform the board of ongoing safety work. The board accepted the update and moved on to remaining agenda items.