“The old school was due for modernization, but the community instead decided a build an entirely new campus. Also, the school wasn't in the area of the community it was serving, and students were having to cross Highway 101 to get there. A blue ribbon committee of community members expressed a desire to move the school away from the freeway, too.”
“Elementary-school enrollment is cyclical. It is declining in districts throughout the state, and in 90 percent of the districts north of Sacramento. Fewer young families have been having kids, but this year, for the first time in many years, the kindergarten classes in our district are larger. We're not expecting growth, but eventually our enrollment will be flat.”
“We're now considerably better prepared to deal with code-red situations, in which an armed assailant is on campus. Before then, we mainly emphasized earthquake preparedness. We've been conducting fewer drills for earthquakes lately, but we're making more preparations for them this year.”
“Formerly, police would stay outside the school and wait for other officers to arrive. Now, the first police officer who arrives goes in and looks for the gunman.”
“Each year, every campus is checked to make sure that it has enough food, water and supplies that would allow it to sustain itself for a 72-hour period without additional support.”
“The Red Cross has an agreement to use some junior high and high schools as secondary shelters, and all school district employees are subject to serving as emergency employees.”