Newton School Superintendent Tom Messenger has spent the past several months talking about school safety with Iowa lawmakers. He did that by serving on a school safety task force that made recommendations to state legislators.

 “When schools do a significant remodel or new construction, different safety measures have to be put in place within the schools.”

Messenger says the most significant safety precaution that will be required pertains to having entry into all schools through the office. 

“For those people who have been to Berg Middle School, where you enter through the office as the doors funnel you through that area. Thomas Jefferson and Aurora Heights Elementary will have that same type of structure coming in. You will enter by coming into the office instead of going straight out into the halls. That’s a major component of it.”

The Newton Superintendent says additional staff training and new drills are also being put into place as part of the School Safety Bill. Newton Superintendent Tom Messenger talks more about school safety and other items on today’s Let’s Talk Newton.