Ask Mr. School Answer Person: "Why weren't schools put on lockout when a man with a gun was near the Decorah Middle School?"

Chris e-mails: "I am wondering if you know/can look into why the Decorah Middle School, Crossroads Academy and Carrie Lee School were not placed on lockdown when the incident happened with the man with a gun?  We put the district on lockdown for a verbal threat but not when an actual gun issue is present less than a block from the schools? What are the guidelines for lockdown?"
 
Mr. School Answer Person says: We contacted Decorah School Superintendent Mike Haluska, who said there is a written procedure in each building.  He stressed that such situations involve both school officials and law enforcement officials.

"Lockout" means access to buildings is only allowed through certain doors supervised by school officials, but a regular school day proceeds within the building.  "Lockdown" means an intruder is in the building and every classroom is locked and staff and students follow defined procedures.  

These procedures are practiced once per year at a minimum.  Law enforcement officers generally supervise the practices and then assist in debriefing people who took part in the practice."
 
In regard to the latest incident involving the man with a gun in the neighborhood of the schools Haluska says, "When we were alerted regarding the incident of which you write, I immediately called law enforcement officials to see if the school district should be going into "Lockout."  I was told officers were already on site, the matter was under control and no danger existed for Decorah students."

Haluska adds that the school district is currently updating lockout and lockdown procedures to follow age-appropriate safety measures in each building.