Changes are occurring in this school and others throughout the state following the Sandy Hook tragedy.

In the days following the tragedy, the Oklahoma Commission on School Security was formed. The new commission will monitor the implementation of various safety measures and how to better evaluate the mental health of at-risk students so they can make recommendations to the legislature on how to improve school security. The Commission will be led by Lt. Governor Todd Lamb.

“The Oklahoma Commission on School Security will provide an avenue for some of Oklahoma’s finest to collaborate towards a common goal,” said Lt. Governor Lamb. “With the right knowledge and resources; we can effectively provide a safer school climate for our most precious commodity.”

“Now is the time for us to review the safety needs of our public and private schools,” said House-Speaker-elect T.W. Shannon. “The purpose of this commission is to put forth ideas that will address the safety needs of both our metropolitan and rural school districts.”

The Commission is considering putting teachers through CLEET training, the same training that police officers undergo, and arming them. Legislation was recently introduced in Oklahoma that would allow for teachers to undergo the training and receive a conceal-and-carry license.

“Ultimately what I would like is for the legislation to allocate some sort of funds for a resource officer, and if that can’t happen I want to have the option to either arm myself or have something locked away in the office that only I have access to,” said Harding Charter Prep Head Principal Justin Hunt.

The Oklahoma City Public Schools School Board was already considering making uniforms mandatory for the district, after an incident with a young OKCPS student wearing a team shirt that violated the dress code. Wearing uniforms would make it easier to identify people that do not belong on the school’s campus.

The Commission suggests for schools to discuss to create better crisis response plans and to practice lockdown and evacuation procedures.

HCP has implemented some changes to improve safety. All classroom doors will now be locked during school hours. A buzzer system will be incorporated in the front doors for Harding Prep, and in the north doors for Harding Fine Arts, to ensure better security.

Other schools in the state are also making changes. Oakdale schools are beginning to lock their classroom doors more frequently and are also requiring that while the schools is undergoing construction that all construction workers wear a bright yellow vest to signify that they are there to work on construction. Deer Creek schools are increasing the presence of a police force within schools to allow for more security.

Compared to other schools, HCP’s lockdown and evacuation procedures are similar. However, HCP administration does not think that adding certain physical deterrents such as metal detectors is necessary for the school.

“This school is unique to every other school in Oklahoma City, the last thing I want to do is give an image to visitors, or parents, or people thinking of coming to our school is that we are insecure. To me, a metal detector puts off more of an insecure image then a buzz in system,” Hunt said

“My responsibility as the lead administrator in this building is to protect each and every one of you and I really feel like this is one of the safest schools in Oklahoma, and I hope that it is reflected in the student body,” Hunt said