POQUOSON, Va. - Poquoson City Public Schools has several measures in place to keep students safe this school year.
Superintendent Arty Tillet told News 3 that the district has invested in ballistic film for all of the exterior windows and doors at its schools.
“It can be penetrated by a bullet, but it can’t be entered into after that,” Tillett said.
He said the film is similar to a screen protector, the film may crack but what's behind it stays intact.
“It won’t solve the problem, it’s just one layer, and I believe the more layers of protection you add to our facilities the better off you are," Tillett said.
Another layer is the double-entry doors to the schools and cameras, inside and out. At Poquoson Middle School, those cameras are being watched by school resource officer (SRO) Brandi Gills.
“I just walk through the school and make sure everything looks safe, make sure nothing looks out of place, doors, making sure they’re secure, things like that,” Gills said.
Gills said also of high importance is building relationships with the students.
“I make sure I make it a point to talk to every student, say hi to every student, to make sure they know they can come talk to me at any time," Gills said. “Making the relationship with our students is what’s going to secure our schools.”
Police Chief Stephen Keatts said his department also provided an additional SRO to cover the primary and elementary schools this school year.
He said there is also a plan in place to hire a fourth SRO to ensure every school in the district has one. Keatts said they hope to have the fourth SRO, funded by grant money, in place by Thanksgiving.
