CCA Safety and Security Updates

  • In June of 2022 it was announced that $100 million dollars would be provided to schools in the State of Iowa to allow for updates to building security.  The money was divided to address physical improvements, complete vulnerability assessments, digital mapping of building interiors, building radios to directly access local law enforcement, and digital applications.  
     
    Clear Creek Amana has submitted the purchases of the new radios to be located at District Attendance Centers.  In addition, vulnerability assessments have been completed at all District Attendance Centers.  These assessments were completed in conjunction with the Johnson County Emergency Management Agency, Iowa County Emergency Management Agency, Johnson County Sheriff's Office, Iowa County Sheriff's Office, and the North Liberty Police Department.  As a result of these assessments, the District received potential physical update recommendations and practices for consideration.  Of the $100 million dollars, each of our attendance centers has up to $50,000 to utilize for improvements, giving CCA $350,000 total.  
     
    We have received letters of approval from our local sheriffs and now are in the process of completing the necessary applications to begin to work with vendors to secure the funding for these projects.  All updates must be completed by December 2024.  CCA will be working diligently to make these updates ahead of the required timeline.  
     
    In addition to assessing our physical security at each attendance center, we have also been reviewing and working through the District's CyberSecurity practices.  Recently, there have been several public school districts in the State of Iowa that have been victim of ransomware attacks.  CCA has partnered with external consultants to review our current practices/systems to ensure we have the protection needed to avoid this sort of attack.  
     
    Being proactive in both the physical and cyber security of our district is of the utmost importance and will remain a focus as we move forward.  We will continue to update our stakeholders on our progress as we work to secure and make updates to our physical structures, systems, and practices.

Student Safety

  • In the Clear Creek Amana Community School District, the safety of our students, staff, and visitors is our top priority and we take this responsibility very seriously. Our school safety addresses prevention, intervention, preparedness, building security, and emergency response.

    ALICE (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evacuate):

    ALICE is a school safety program developed in 2000 to offer additional options to students and staff in dealing with an armed intruder situation. Millions of people have been trained in the ALICE protocol, now being used in universities, colleges, hospitals, churches, corporations, and government offices. The letters ALICE are an acronym that stands for Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, and Evacuate.

    ALICE training is the #1 active shooter, civilian response training for any organization. Clear Creek Amana Community School District uses annual ALICE training with staff. CCA has partnered with the North Liberty Police Department, Johnson County Sheriff's Department and Iowa County Sheriff's Department to conduct ALICE training and prepare our staff. 

    Planning for the Unknown

    • Our school district and each school building have school safety and emergency response plans in place. These plans continue to evolve and change according to state law and are developed and reviewed by Johnson County, North Liberty and Iowa County community agencies such as law enforcement, fire departments, and EMS. 
    • All buildings work with local law enforcement on annual intruder training (ALICE training). There are many variables in this training and no single response fits all intruder situations. However, making sure each individual knows his or her options for response and can react decisively will save valuable time.
    • Emergency plans, procedures, and warning signs are reviewed by school staff periodically.
    • Information is shared with students, keeping in mind sensitivity, maturity and level of understanding of the students. We will continue with our strategies to help students feel connected to school, to their teachers and to each other. 
    • Buildings have limited entry points and require emergency response drills with students.
    • In the event of an intruder or student safety emergency, initial notifications would be sent out via SMS and email and ongoing information would be formulated and communicated. The safety of our students is our highest priority. We also understand how important it is to get information that we are able to share as soon as possible.

    The Clear Creek Amana Community School District uses Blackboard Communications to contact parents about information regarding crisis communication, school closings and delays. Calls, texts and emails will go out as soon as any decision is made by administration concerning the school day.  Please listen to the entire message as it contains pertinent information. The district website and district mobile app will also list any changes to the school day.