We constantly advise clients that the only thing worse than not having a plan is having a plan that you don’t follow. The Oxford High School in Michigan, the scene of a terrible school shooting last year, is the latest tragic example of that truth. Former school board members have told reporters that the school district had adopted a threat assessment policy, but never actually implemented it.
It is very easy after tragedies to point fingers and to list all sorts of things that might have made a difference. We do know, however, that one policy that helps is to have a team in place with set responsibilities. The policy also needs to include frequent training and practice. Without those essential components, a policy is just useless paper sitting on a shelf.
A new year is a good time to start implementing new policies. As you plan your training schedule, be sure to include your child protection and safety policies.