This email was sent out to parents earlier this morning:

Dear WPSD Families,

We want to update you on an important aspect of our ongoing commitment to ensure the safety and security of our students and staff members.

In line with our unwavering dedication to maintain a secure learning environment, the Board of Education and District Administration have diligently reviewed and updated our safety protocols. As a result, we are announcing a significant step to enhance the safety measures within our school district.

After careful consideration and consultation with law enforcement professionals, we have integrated trained and certified armed security personnel into our safety and security plan. These dedicated professionals must have completed rigorous training programs from law enforcement or other specialized training, ensuring they possess the necessary expertise to respond effectively to potential security situations.

It is important to emphasize that these security personnel are highly trained professionals dedicated to upholding the highest safety and security standards. Their presence will complement the efforts of our existing security measures and will be an additional resource to ensure a rapid and coordinated response to any potential threats. Please know our students’ and staff members’ safety remains a paramount concern.

We understand that the introduction of armed security personnel may prompt questions or concerns. We share your commitment to providing a safe educational environment for our students. This decision is part of a comprehensive strategy that aligns with our overarching goal of maintaining a safe learning environment for students and staff.

Thank you for your continued support as we work together to provide the safest possible environment for our students and staff members. We remain committed to ensuring our school district remains a safe place to learn.

For questions, please contact Aaron Salt, COO, at asalt@wpsdk12.org.

On the surface this might seem OK, but there’s a significant open question about the training and backgrounds of these personnel. Have they been trained to deal with a school full of children? Have they been trained to know when *not* to shoot, or has their training been focused merely on eliminating a target (such as military training might focus on)?

When asked for details, the district replied with:

Thanks for your email and your interest in security in Woodland Park. The security personnel will be highly qualified district employees hired specifically for security detail. We have an experienced military trainer to conduct vetting and hiring. We do not announce specific training, as that’s protected information due to security concerns, but the training does involve law enforcement experts. 

The district has refused to work with the city police chief on any level of SROs for our buildings. It appears that was due to this other plan they’ve been working on since spring.