Ottumwa Schools Reaffirms Commitment to Student and Staff Safety

Posted Date: 9/26/25 (8:20 AM)

Ottumwa Schools Reaffirms Commitment to Student and Staff Safety

At Ottumwa Schools, nothing is more important than the safety and well-being of our students and staff. Since launching the Be the Best initiative in 2021, we have worked closely with students, families, and staff to listen, learn, and take action on the needs of our community. A central focus of this work has been creating safe, secure, and welcoming school environments that enable students to thrive.

“Our schools are a reflection of the community we serve,” said Superintendent McGrory. “We want families to feel confident every day that their children are learning in facilities that are safe, functional, and innovative.”

Safety and Security Pride Points

Expanded security cameras: More than 300 cameras now monitor the interior and exterior of our schools.
Safer entrances: Eisenhower, Horace Mann, James, and Wilson Elementary Schools now feature a secured guest entry, ensuring every building has a secure vestibule and entrance.
Updated technology: A centralized digital card access system with upgraded controllers and secure door card readers at entry points, providing the latest in building access safety.
Clear communication: Every building has mobile radios to allow staff to respond quickly in and around facilities, plus new and improved internal paging systems to ensure effective and quick communication.
Visitor screening: Our Raptor system checks in every adult who enters during school hours and issues identification stickers for visibility.
Staff identification badges: All employees now wear ID badges, giving students an easy way to recognize trusted adults and helping new students connect with school staff.
Routine safety drills: Students and staff regularly participate in fire and tornado drills, as well as practice and discussion of our standard response protocols, including Hold, Secure, Lockdown, Evacuate, and Shelter, so everyone knows how to respond quickly and safely in an emergency.
Upgraded Door Hardware: In response to recommendations from our most recent safety and security audit, the district has upgraded exterior and interior doors in every building. These improvements eliminate unnecessary glass in classroom doors, ensure that all doors latch properly, and provide teachers with the ability to quickly secure their classrooms during a Secure, Lockdown, or Shelter situation.

In addition, Ottumwa Schools has partnered with Securly, a cloud-based solution that promotes student safety and wellness while encouraging responsible use of technology.

These improvements reflect the district’s ongoing commitment to working with families, community members, and partners to prioritize safety. As we continue to strengthen security measures, our goal remains clear: to provide safe learning environments where every student can achieve their best.

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