Dear Hooksett Families and Staff,

The news from Texas yesterday about the school attack is heart-wrenching.  Hooksett School District staff, administration, and School Board Members have fielded many inquiries about Hooksett Schools’ safety preparations.  We would like to reassure our school families and staff that safety is in the forefront of our thinking and planning.

Hooksett Schools collaborate with the Hooksett Police Department on safety issues, and has one Officer dedicated to the school district as our School Resource Officer (SRO).  The building access protocols for all schools are tight, and are regularly evaluated.  Building access during school hours requires being buzzed through double doors by someone in building administration.  Schools have broad video surveillance capabilities, and a shooter detection system to immediately summon law enforcement upon being triggered – though we hope to never need that.  There is staff training for various emergency situations, staff and students participate in emergency drills, and administration has consulted with state and national agencies on safety topics.

At the Hooksett School Board meeting on May 17, Superintendent Rearick briefly summarized our recent security audit completed by Homeland Security, evaluating all three schools.  Our results were good, but there are always things to improve.  The meeting video is available here:  https://youtu.be/LN6OurL1L8g?t=1452  The School Board reviews these security audits in a non-public session, as careful security requires many operational details remain confidential.

Sincerely,Wayne Goertel
Hooksett School Board Chair