A SAFE CAMPUS IS JOB 1

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April 29, 2024

For information on admission to Notre Dame Prep, please click here. 

Safety director provides an update of changes and improvements to campus security and emergency response, also says his first four months have been "fulfilling and very productive."

At the beginning of 2024, Notre Dame Prep announced that it had hired Kerry Horton as full-time director of security and safety. Andrew J. Guest, Notre Dame Prep's head of school, noted in the announcement that the investment in a full-time security and safety officer position was a significant step in ongoing efforts to maintain a high level of safety for students and staff.

"Kerry will work closely with school administration and lead our existing security efforts, which include a strong team of dedicated security professionals," added Guest, who said in the news release that in addition to the many other safety and security personnel and systems in place, Horton's arrival means that Notre Dame Prep is "one of the safest campuses in the state."

Now with nearly four months under his belt at Notre Dame Prep, Horton and his team have redefined and refined many aspects of NDP's security footprint. 

"The months since being appointed to my position have been both fulfilling and very productive," he said. "On a more personal note, being a member of the Notre Dame Prep community and working as a direct representative of our school in my current position has exceeded any expectations I previously held. Notre Dame truly is a great place to be and I am very excited about our future."

He spent a few minutes recently going over what has changed or improved since January. This interview has been edited for clarity and space.

What have been your top priorities since coming on board?

A big priority has been to focus on those "best and safe practices" that allow our campuses to remain secure throughout our school day. Points of emphasis include (1), door security, which means confirming that exterior doors are operating correctly and remain properly closed and locked throughout the day; people are entering/exiting buildings only through the appropriate designated doors; and that all visitors/volunteers are processed through our electronic visitor screening system prior to being allowed access into our buildings. (2), eliminating the use of food delivery services in an effort to prevent unidentified/unscreened individuals from frequenting our campuses or having potential contact with our students. (3), implementing added protocols and practices that allow for increased oversight and control of student movement when walking between buildings or being outside for classroom activities. And (4), implementing a protocol that allows coaches to have enhanced communication with our security team during outdoor athletic activities. 

What changes in protocol have been implemented for the security team specifically?

I conducted a thorough review of our contracted security team and wrote updated standard operating procedures (SOPs) for all designated security posts and scheduled shifts, outlining required duties and tasks to be carried out and implemented on a daily basis. The SOPs create greater consistency among the members or our security team while also better ensuring that our security standards remain at the highest possible level on a daily basis. This review led to some additional improvements which include (1), increased use of security placards on security vehicles for added visibility and deterrence on both campuses; (2), increased vehicle patrols throughout the day on both campuses; (3), repositioning of security officers during morning student drop off for added presence and more balanced oversight across both main campus buildings. 

I understand that there have been changes made recently to equipment and protocols for emergency medical response.

Yes, improvements have also been made related to our emergency medical equipment. No. (1), bleed control kits have been placed in the same location as all mounted AEDs on both campuses, with upgraded bleed control equipment being added to the kits that will perform more effectively during critical incidents. (2), improved signage marking the location of the AED/Bleed Control stations have been added throughout both campuses for greater visibility during high stress incidents. (3), the AED/Bleed Control station in the Grimaldi building was repositioned and more clearly marked for improved visibility and accessibility to the equipment during a medical emergency. And (4), a Bleed Control Kit and portable AED unit was added to the upper school/middle school security desk to allow for improved response time by our security officers to a medical emergency. 

What about communication and emergency alert improvements on campus?

Focus has been given to our recently upgraded PA/emergency notification system. With the assistance of our IT and facilities department, tests were conducted in all areas of both building wide and with individual classroom emergency notifications to confirm the system was operating as intended. Additionally, I conducted training sessions for staff across all three divisions to ensure that all were aware of the two layered emergency alert notification system available to them in the classroom and how to deploy each in an emergency situation. 

Can you provide any updates on the OakTac consortium since we were voted in as an associate member?

In February, at my request, Notre Dame Prep was voted in as an associate member of the Oakland County Tactical Consortium (OakTac). OakTac is a multi-agency organization that trains and coordinates with police and other first responders countywide to ensure standardization of communication and responses to critical situations. OakTac currently comprises 40 law enforcement agencies, which includes the Oakland County Sheriff's Office, as well as an additional 22 associate members, which include fire departments, EMS, private/corporate security and schools. Notre Dame Prep is currently the only member Catholic School. Our membership in OakTac allows me to meet on a regular basis with personnel from all member agencies and to directly collaborate regarding security protocols and emergency operation plans with those first responders who will be dispatched and be on-scene to address any critical matters that may occur on our campuses.

For information on admission to Notre Dame Prep, please click here.

Comments or questions? mkelly@ndpma.org

About Notre Dame Preparatory School
"At Notre Dame Prep, we inspire our students to become the best versions of themselves. We challenge them through an experience of academic excellence, focused on active, project-based learning. We invite them to explore a world of opportunities beyond the classroom. We guide them as they grow in spirituality within a community strong in its Catholic and Marist identity."

Notre Dame Preparatory School is a private, Catholic, independent, coeducational day school located in Oakland County. Notre Dame Preparatory School's upper school enrolls students in grades nine through twelve and has been named one of the nation's best 50 Catholic high schools (Acton Institute) four times since 2005. Notre Dame Prep's middle and lower schools enroll students in pre-kindergarten through grade eight. All three schools are International Baccalaureate "World Schools." NDP is conducted by the Marist Fathers and Brothers and is accredited by the Independent Schools Association of the Central States and the National Association of Independent Schools. For more on Notre Dame Preparatory School, visit the school’s home page at www.ndpma.org.