Schools in Minnesota discuss security measures following Texas mass shooting

Some Minnesota school districts said they’re being proactive by putting protective security measures in place to keep kids safe in the classroom.

“It’s a nightmare in every sense of the word,” Michael Baumann, Lakeville Area Schools superintendent, said regarding the Texas mass shooting.

Baumann calls it a sad reality that students have to fear for their safety at school.

“Parents are rightly concerned. We’ve gotten some emails,” Baumann said.

Baumann is hoping to curb concerns with a new security system built to protect Lakeville Schools students and staff in an active shooter situation.

The 3D Response Systems’ design would provide safe spaces and a rapid response from first responders.

The plan has been in the works for a year.

“This system is legitimately capable of preventing loss of life,” Baumann said. “Safety and security is distinct from protection. It sounds like it’s the same, but it’s not.”

Safewood Designs has provided options to Minnesota schools to protect students and staff from an active shooter.

Most of the tools blend in with the classroom. Safewood Designs manufactured a dry erase board that can act as a shield.

“At the bottom of the shutter, there’s a pin that locks into the floor and it becomes effectively a shield and a place to stand,” Tim Ganser, Safewood Designs representative, said.

Another tool is a tack board that is bullet resistant.

“The whole idea of school protection is to protect the hallways with our wall panel and protect the classrooms with a bullet resistant door to shutter,” Ganser said. “Our hope is that if they’re installed in a classroom, they’re using it as a tool for the classroom. If there’s one unfortunate time that something does happen, they have the protection they need.”

Baumann said he hopes an unthinkable day like this does not come, but it’s best to be prepared.