Kalamazoo Schools will make a few modifications to their active shooter training program after some parents complained, but will continue the lessons and drills. The district will also address complaints that parents were not given enough time to opt out of the training.
Acting Superintendent Gary Start says letters have been sent to parents of the students that have not yet received the ALICE training, informing them it will resume later this month.
“Parents can choose to keep their children at home the day of the training, or ask that they be taken to an alternate location in the building during the ALICE presentation”
While the district had initially heard from critics of the ALICE program, Thursday night over two dozen spoke in favor of training their kids in case their school is invaded by a gunman. School Trustees approved the recommendation to lift the suspension and proceed with the training.
Start says some of the language and pictures that drew the most complaints will be edited out. Start says he wishes the program wasn’t necessary, but says it is in today’s world.
“Parents want their child to be successful academically, athletically, arts, drama whatever, but they expect their child to be safe.”
ALICE Stands for Alert, lock down, inform, counter and evacuate. It trains staff and students to take a more active role in their own defense and improve their odds of survival. School Trustees approved the recommendation Thursday to lift the suspension and proceed with the training.
