I was recently made aware of Facebook posts claiming the school district is not allowing representatives of the community to use the school facility. This claim is highly inaccurate and using social media to make posts of this nature creates confusion, frustration and sometimes anger that unfortunately places the school district in a negative light with the community. This version of SUPTs On is intended to address this false information.
I’ve listed several “FACTS” that supported the district’s decision to tighten up safety and security through a keyless entry system and a facility use form.
FACT: Given events that have occurred internationally, nationally, and within the state of Nebraska, we can no longer ignore the reality that violence can occur in our community or in our school district at any time. Think back to this past summer when an incident that involved a shooting occurred in Gibbon. This reality demands a practice and the commitment to constantly seek ways of making our community and our school district a safer place.
FACT: The school district failed to follow policy approved and monitored by the Gibbon Public Schools Board of Education. Policy exists to provide guidance and direction for the use of facilities. Failure to follow policy impacts a level of liability for the school district.
FACT: The school district’s initial goal is to focus on the needs of students, athletically and artistically. Once that initial goal is satisfied, our secondary goal is to offer residents of Gibbon the opportunity to use the facility.
FACT: The school district found the number of keys handed out over time made it virtually impossible to know who had access to the facility. This practice made it difficult to monitor who was in the facility, when individuals were inside the facility, and did not give the district the ability to effectively secure the facility for students, staff, and patrons.
FACT: Individuals who were not residents of Gibbon had keys to the facility. The district had no way of knowing when keys were passed around giving access to individuals from surrounding communities. Individuals who do not pay tax dollars to support Gibbon Public Schools, and do not reside in Gibbon, should not have access to the facility.
FACT: There were times when administration would receive a call from Buffalo County Sheriff’s Department who found the facility doors wide open or propped open. This would happen at all hours of the night. An environment where individuals had unlimited access to the facility jeopardizes the level of safety for students, staff, and patrons.
FACT: Unlimited access to the facility brought additional expenditures associated with utilities, damage to property, and theft of property which created an additional burden on the district’s budget. The school district wishes to be an excellent steward of the taxpayer’s money.
FACT: We have staff working in the facility late at night and they deserve an environment emphasizing safety. Our staff now know when there are other individuals in the facility, those individuals were required to walk through a protocol to gain access to the facility.
FACT: We have patrons and community groups using the facility and they deserve an environment that emphasizes safety. Those who use the facility now know when there are other individuals in the facility, those individuals were required to walk through a protocol to gain access to the facility.
FACT: Our community DOES HAVE ACCESS to the facility. All one has to do is exercise the following steps:
We hope the same behaviors are embraced by the residents of Gibbon. Please call the district office to ask questions, express concerns, and offer suggestions. Placing inaccurate information on social media, sharing inaccurate information, discussing inaccurate information, and misrepresenting the facts is a waste of time and energy for everyone.
I’ve listed several “FACTS” that supported the district’s decision to tighten up safety and security through a keyless entry system and a facility use form.
FACT: Given events that have occurred internationally, nationally, and within the state of Nebraska, we can no longer ignore the reality that violence can occur in our community or in our school district at any time. Think back to this past summer when an incident that involved a shooting occurred in Gibbon. This reality demands a practice and the commitment to constantly seek ways of making our community and our school district a safer place.
FACT: The school district failed to follow policy approved and monitored by the Gibbon Public Schools Board of Education. Policy exists to provide guidance and direction for the use of facilities. Failure to follow policy impacts a level of liability for the school district.
FACT: The school district’s initial goal is to focus on the needs of students, athletically and artistically. Once that initial goal is satisfied, our secondary goal is to offer residents of Gibbon the opportunity to use the facility.
FACT: The school district found the number of keys handed out over time made it virtually impossible to know who had access to the facility. This practice made it difficult to monitor who was in the facility, when individuals were inside the facility, and did not give the district the ability to effectively secure the facility for students, staff, and patrons.
FACT: Individuals who were not residents of Gibbon had keys to the facility. The district had no way of knowing when keys were passed around giving access to individuals from surrounding communities. Individuals who do not pay tax dollars to support Gibbon Public Schools, and do not reside in Gibbon, should not have access to the facility.
FACT: There were times when administration would receive a call from Buffalo County Sheriff’s Department who found the facility doors wide open or propped open. This would happen at all hours of the night. An environment where individuals had unlimited access to the facility jeopardizes the level of safety for students, staff, and patrons.
FACT: Unlimited access to the facility brought additional expenditures associated with utilities, damage to property, and theft of property which created an additional burden on the district’s budget. The school district wishes to be an excellent steward of the taxpayer’s money.
FACT: We have staff working in the facility late at night and they deserve an environment emphasizing safety. Our staff now know when there are other individuals in the facility, those individuals were required to walk through a protocol to gain access to the facility.
FACT: We have patrons and community groups using the facility and they deserve an environment that emphasizes safety. Those who use the facility now know when there are other individuals in the facility, those individuals were required to walk through a protocol to gain access to the facility.
FACT: Our community DOES HAVE ACCESS to the facility. All one has to do is exercise the following steps:
- Please go to the district website to review board policy, administrative regulations, and the facility use form to learn more about gaining access to the facility. These can be found under the “resource” tab on the district’s website,
- Please call the office to arrange a time to submit the facility use form and secure a Key Card. There is a $10 fee for the Key Card, and
- Please comply with administrative regulations and expectations outlined in the facility use form. Thank You.
We hope the same behaviors are embraced by the residents of Gibbon. Please call the district office to ask questions, express concerns, and offer suggestions. Placing inaccurate information on social media, sharing inaccurate information, discussing inaccurate information, and misrepresenting the facts is a waste of time and energy for everyone.
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