Facilities and Systems

Building Security

All school buildings are locked except for a single exterior door which is monitored by school personnel. All visitors are asked to report to the school office upon arrival and required to sign in and wear identifying badges. Staff members and substitute teachers are all subject to background checks and all wear photo ID badges which also serve as key cards to access the buildings. Lost key cards are immediately removed from the computerized locking system to help assure keys do not fall into the wrong hands. Kitchen receiving areas are also locked and can only be accessed through a buzzer system. A corporation security officer is also on duty daily and can be dispatched to any building immediately through corporation radios. All school building doors are also numbered to provide quick response to an area of any building in need. In addition, metal detectors are available for random searches at MHS and PHMS.

Communication Systems

A key component of the MCSC safety plan is the continued communication and partnership with local law enforcement and emergency personnel, who assist with procedural training and who are extensively familiar with school campuses in case of an emergency situation.

Communication systems in place include caller identification and recording devices on all school phones, two-way radios in all buildings and on all buses, telephones in each classroom, and cellular phones on buses for evening athletic and extracurricular trips.

Anonymous Tip System

The school corporation has an anonymous safety hotline (834-TIPS). Callers are asked to leave a voicemail message about the concern. The hotline is monitored during regular business hours daily.

Facilities

Safety audits of MCSC facilities are conducted by insurance personnel and professional inspectors.  This also includes weekly inspection of playgrounds for any unsafe conditions and thorough annual playground inspections. Additional security systems are in place to protect the high school natatorium from unauthorized access. All buildings have been cleared of friable asbestos.

Transportation

The safety of students traveling to and from school is a high priority for our school corporation. Students take part in a kindergarten bus orientation program as well as the Indiana State Police No Zone bus safety program. All bus riders also take part in bus evacuation drills annually. The school security officer also monitors arrival and departure of buses, walking students and student drivers from the high school/middle school campus each day. Mandatory drug testing is also in place for MCSC bus drivers in accordance with Indiana state law.

Electronic Security Systems

Electronic security systems in place include video cameras within the high school and middle school as well as outside both facilities. School buses are also equipped with video cameras. Sonitrol security systems are also available on various campus grounds.

Procedures and Programs

Emergency Procedures

Students are practiced several times a year in fire and tornado drills. Staff members are also aware of different announcement codes which change drills into a response for a bomb threat or other emergency situation. All school buildings are equipped with office panic alarms and staff members have been trained in the school corporation’s threat assessment process. School personnel are trained in how to handle a threat evacuation or an intruder challenge. Should the need arise, a building evacuation plan including bus transportation is in place. In addition to school counselors, a crisis counselor is available to students in case of need. A series of procedures has also been put in place to coordinate with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's threat level color-code system. 

Weather-Related Emergencies

All school buildings are equipped with emergency weather radios and televisions to monitor changing weather conditions. School safety procedures are undertaken in the event of a watch or warning. If travel becomes unsafe, school personnel will check road conditions and consult emergency personnel to make a determination whether to begin or release school at the regular time. All such decisions are related to radio and television media as soon as possible.

Student Communication

Students are a key part of our safety programs. Our K-12 Conflict Resolution and Character Education programs promote positive relationships and behaviors. A peer mediation program is also in place at the high school and middle school. Law enforcement and emergency service personnel also meet regularly with students for classroom safety presentations. Counselors are available at all MCSC schools for students to discuss any safety or other concerns.

Drug Awareness Program

Random drug testing takes place for all students at Paul Hadley Middle School and Mooresville High School who participate in extra-curricular activities. Drug awareness and drug education programs are in place at all schools and all schools have policies in place for drug use, weapons, gang activities and dress code considerations. Random searches of school lockers and student automobiles by a police drug dog also take place periodically.

Health Concerns

All school buildings have a nurse or nurse’s aide in place in the event of a health-related emergency. School nurses also take charge of and dispense all medications, monitor classrooms and buildings for any communicable diseases (chicken pox, lice, etc.), monitor and assist students with long-term illnesses (such as asthma) and assist with injuries on school grounds. In addition, all staff members receive training in the handling of bodily fluids.

Staff Communications and Training

Staff members have all received information and training in the corporation safety plan and building safety procedures. Staff members are aware that supervision of doors, hallways, restrooms and playgrounds is a priority. Staff safety training is ongoing as new areas of concern or safety recommendations are received. CPR and AED training are made available to all MCSC staff members. The school corporation also has three Indiana certified School Safety Specialists on staff who receive updated training throughout the year. An administrative assistant is available to support safety programs at the elementary school level.

Parent & Community Involvement

Students learn from the behavior of other students, parents, staff and community members. Throughout our community, we will model personal responsibility, respect for authority and positive relationships. Each building is tasked with creating a climate and culture of caring, nurturing, open communications. Taunting, bullying and other unsafe behaviors are unacceptable. The school corporation will also provide information and training for staff, parents and community whenever warranted (such as our At-Risk Behaviors Seminar or information on communicable disease outbreaks).

Mooresville Consolidated School Corporation  • 11 W. Carlisle St.  •  Mooresville, Indiana 46158
   (317) 831-0950 • www.mcsc.k12.in.us • webmaster@mcsc.k12.in.us