School safety investigation: Fulton and Renick R-V

FULTON, Mo. (KMIZ)

ABC 17 News asked for 41 Mid-Missouri school districts' security plans, maintenance records and expenses ahead of the 2022-2023 school year.

Among them is Fulton Public School,s which had 2,227 students enrolled last school year.

In the last five years and across the three elementary schools, the district spent more than $1.2 million on security upgrades. Those upgrades included:

• Two exterior doors replaced
• Secure entry vestibules constructed
• Parking lot lighting upgrades

The district also spent nearly $6 million on security upgrades for Fulton Middle School. Those upgrades included:

• Eight new classrooms
• Upgraded doors for all classrooms
• Secure entry vestibule constructed

For Fulton High School, the district spent more than $11.7 million on upgrades. Those upgrades included:

• New gym and offices
• Parking lot camera and lighting upgrades
• Secure entry vestibule constructed

The district also spent $100,000 on district-wide security camera upgrades.

The district did not provide its maintenance records for door and lock repairs and its lockdown policy, citing exemptions to open records laws. Other emergency policies showed the following:

• One staff intruder drill run by police
• Two student intruder drills every school year
• The district can designate shelter in place for up to 72 hours

The district also said there are expectations for teachers to lock classroom doors during the day, but there is no board policy.

Renick R-V

Renick R-V has one school with around 90 students. Renick provided security expenses from 2020 to 2022 which include:

• 2020-2022: $1,379 for lock, key and door upgrades
• Jan. 19, 2021: $29,277 for new exterior doors
• June 23, 2021: $189,871.79 for new windows
• May 12, 2022: $253 for U-bolts for classrooms

Renick also provided details about its safety plan, which includes:

• All doors locked at all times
• Visitors buzzed in by the secretary
• Intercom messages with a code to communicate there's an intruder
• Classrooms are assigned buddy rooms for evacuation

The district also said there will be monthly emergency drills with new challenges every month such as closed exits and students not in classrooms.

ABC 17 received security documents and responses from more than 15 school districts and will release the details on more districts' safety plans every day this week.