Redmond School District: School Safety and Security

Hello RSD Families and Staff,  

Our thoughts continue to be with the Silver Rail Elementary community and the entire Bend La-Pine School District as our region grieves this heartbreaking tragedy. We extend our deepest sympathies to the families, students and staff affected by this devastating loss. Here in Central Oregon, our communities are closely connected, and this tragedy is felt deeply throughout our region. We stand alongside our neighbors as we navigate this difficult time together.

We know that this tragedy brings difficult questions and concerns for students, families, and staff. We believe it is important to be transparent about the steps we take to support safe learning environments. The following information provides an overview of our approach to school safety, including facility security, prevention and emergency preparedness.

Redmond School District Safety and Security

The safety of students and staff is the top priority of the Redmond School District. We are committed to providing safe, supportive learning environments where students can focus on learning and staff can focus on supporting their success.

School safety is a shared responsibility that involves ongoing prevention efforts, secure facilities, established safety procedures and collaboration among staff, families, community partners and local law enforcement.

The district’s approach to school safety includes three key areas: Preventative Security, Physical Security and Operational Security. Together, these areas help guide our efforts to maintain safe learning environments and prepare for emergencies.

Preventative Security

The vast majority of creating a safe learning environment begins with the work done every day by our teachers, counselors, and administration. This group is working with students continuously to both teach and assess. They report students that appear to be developing threats.

We have 5 armed School Resource Officers (SRO) in partnership with Redmond PD and Deschutes Co. Sheriff. SRO’s work to provide security and work with school administration to investigate crimes committed by students and crimes committed to students. 

Students are encouraged to report anytime they experience unusual or threatening behavior from another person. They are to make their reports to teachers or administration. If you see something, say something!

In partnership with the High Desert ESD, we have a student threat assessment system that is used to evaluate students of concern. School officials work with the student’s parents or guardians to review disturbing behavior or language. 

Students with behavioral or emotional needs are screened and may be eligible to participate in a program to meet their needs.The school’s options include our School Based Health Clinics, our BRYT program (elementary only), our StepUP program and a partnership with Rimrock Trails Treatment Services. Several schools have partnerships with Stronger Oregon to provide mental health services.

The Safe Oregon Tip Line can be used by any person who is aware of a threat to a school or a student. A person with relevant information can call or text to (844) 472-3367 or email at tip@safeoregon.com. Signs will be posted in easy to see places throughout the school and information about the tip line will be sent home to parents. Every school issued student Chromebook has a link to the Safe Oregon App.

The First Step app has been created in Deschutes County. Students and parents can download this app on their smartphones to access mental health services quickly. There is contact information for local mental health providers as well as the ability to rapidly contact a mental health hotline. Every school issued student Chromebook has the First Step app downloaded and informative posters are posted around the schools.   

Redmond School District uses Linewize Monitor, a real-time student safety platform, to help identify online activity that may indicate a concern for student well-being. The system monitors activity on school-issued devices and accounts, flagging potential safety concerns such as self-harm, bullying, threats of violence and other potentially harmful content so staff can respond when support may be needed.

Redmond School District has partnered with Care Solace so no one has to struggle alone. Their wide network of trusted providers helps match you with care that fits your schedule, insurance, location, and needs at no cost to you. Use their self-guided tool to anonymously connect with providers for yourself, a colleague, or a family member.

Physical Security

Through the 2020 and 2025 capital bonds, Redmond School District has made significant investments in facility security to create safer learning environments for students and staff. All district school buildings now have secure entry vestibules designed to help control visitor access. Entry points are limited to designated locations wherever possible.

School buildings also have additional exterior doors to allow for emergency evacuations and access to outdoor facilities. These doors are expected to remain closed and secured, with staff following established procedures to monitor their use.

Exterior doors are equipped with closure sensors that alert building administrators when a door is not properly closed, allowing staff to respond promptly.

Video surveillance systems are in place throughout district schools, with technology improvements. School Resource Officers can access the cameras as necessary. 

Staff wear identification badges to help distinguish authorized personnel, and employees are expected to follow district procedures for identifying and addressing individuals who are not wearing appropriate identification.

Building security measures also include electronic access controls at main entrances and other building entrances to support building security and emergency response.

School administrators work with SROs to identify additional opportunities to improve physical security. Recommendations may include enhanced access controls, fencing and other facility improvements, which are evaluated as part of ongoing district planning.

Operational Security

The Redmond School District has a mass emergency notification system called InformaCast. All staff have access to this system designed to rapidly broadcast critical alerts across our organization. It allows any staff member who observes suspicious behavior to start a Standard Response Protocol, like a lockdown instantly. All SRO’s are notified immediately through the Informacast system. 

Redmond School District personnel actively train for the management of an active threat. Our team is trained in the Standard Response Protocol (SRP) and we drill at least twice a year. Information on the SRP can be found here.

The Redmond Police Department partners with the district to help train staff and implement the SRP. The two organizations work together in table top exercises to simulate emergency situations and evaluate response strategies.

School administrative staff and student management deans are working with students every day to identify students who potentially pose a threat or are in need of mental health support. If the RPD determines that a threat is probable they are able to petition a judge to issue an Extreme Risk Protection Order if an identified individual is deemed to be a threat. 

The Redmond PD trains on active threat response at least once a year. Similar training occurs with all Central Oregon police forces. 

In order to keep students safe, the school district needs the help of every citizen of Redmond, Terrebonne, Tumalo, Alfalfa, Crooked River Ranch, and Eagle Crest. In the majority of school shootings that occur, someone was aware of the threat before the violence became reality. If a person is aware of something, they should call the school office or the Safe Oregon Tip Line (844) 472-3367.