School Boards 
Why Adopt This Policy?
School boards should consider adopting a policy on parental notification of school safety updates to enhance transparency, keep parents informed about measures taken to ensure the safety and well-being of their children, and to promote a partnership between parents and schools. This policy creates a system of when and how to notify parents of updates to school safety. Knowing what measures are being taken to keep children safe can bring great peace of mind to parents away from their children while the children are at school.
Policy
This policy is established to ensure transparent communication between the district and parents regarding updates to school security systems and school safety plans. The school board acknowledges the importance of keeping parents informed about changes that may impact the security of students and staff.
Timely Notification of Updates
The district shall provide parents with timely and comprehensive notifications upon the creation or addition of a school security system and when a school security system receives significant updates or changes. Updates covered under this policy include substantial changes to security protocols, surveillance systems, emergency communication systems, or any other security-related technology or infrastructure. Routine maintenance and minor adjustments that do not significantly impact security do not require notifications.
Content of Notifications: Notifications shall include clear and concise information about the nature of the security system update, the reason for the change, and the potential impact on students, staff, and the school community.
Feedback and Questions
The District Administrator shall provide a designated contact person or department to address questions, concerns, or feedback from parents regarding the security system updates. Response to inquiries shall be prompt and informative.
Teacher Training
The District Administrator shall ensure that a comprehensive training plan is in place that outlines the content, objectives, and methods of training for teachers and staff members in response to security system updates.
The plan shall be designed to ensure that all relevant personnel receive appropriate training before the implementation of security system changes.
The district shall schedule periodic refresher training sessions to reinforce security procedures and accommodate new staff members who join after initial training. Updates to security system technology and protocols shall prompt corresponding training sessions.
The district shall collaborate with security professionals and law enforcement agencies to develop and deliver accurate and up-to-date training content. Expert input shall ensure that training aligns with best practices and current security standards.
Legal Analysis – National
This policy operates supplementary to other school safety plan policies and applicable state and federal laws and does not replace them. This policy enhances parents’ rights to be notified about school security system and safety plan updates. The Fourteenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution recognizes the “inherent right” of parents to “direct the upbringing and education of children under their control.” See Pierce v. Society of Sisters, 268 U.S. 510, 534–35 (1925).
Legal Analysis – Wisconsin
In Wisconsin, each school board is required to have in effect a school safety plan, there are requirements for school safety drills, and schools are required to have “safe and healthful facilities.” See Wis. Stat. § 118.07; Wis. Admin. PI Chapter 8. Wisconsin law also has parental access and privacy protection laws which are in addition to FERPA. See Wis. Stat. § 118.125; Wis. Stat. § 118.126; Wis. Stat. § 118.127; Wis. Stat. § 938.396.