BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — On Thursday, the Kern High School District responded to the deadly school shooting in Santa Clarita.
In a statement, school officials told the community that student and staff safety is their top priority in the wake of the shooting.
The Kern High School District considers the safety of our students and staff to be a crucial priority. We continually review and revise our safety practices in an ongoing effort to ensure that our schools are safe, and that our students and staff remain free to engage in the educational process free from danger and fear.
To meet these goals, the District has taken numerous measures, including the recent addition of an Emergency Preparedness Division that is staffed with dedicated safety professionals who continuously work to enhance our safety practices. A fully trained and equipped police officer, along with several trained security personnel, are assigned to each comprehensive campus. Staff and students participate in safety training and various safety drills several times a year. These trainings and drills include the utilization of the “Standard Response Protocol” for dealing with various emergencies and the “Run Hide Fight” tactic for dealing with an active shooter scenario. Additional safety measures such as improved fencing, the addition of a visitor management system, and systems to anonymously report safety concerns are a few of the additional steps the District is taking to ensure the safety of our students and staff.
