As someone whose job is to use technology and experience to make schools as safe as possible, the news out of Texas this week hit Allison McKenzie hard.”Days when I hear a news story about a school shooting are incredibly difficult,” McKenzie said. “As a school architect, I literally – my breath catches, my stomach drops.”But her resolve remains strong.”Because I do think that design can have an impact on what happens during these mass shooter or active shooter events,” McKenzie said.By design, WLWT investigator Todd Dykes has spent time in a growing number of schools in Greater Cincinnati that now have robust camera systems that can spot potential threats.One recently built school just north of the Queen City has garage doors that can seal off classrooms from an intruder.Classroom windows could also be covered with a shatter-resistant film that Dykes had a chance to test out firsthand when he fired a handgun at a covered pane of glass.While impressive, McKenzie cautions against thinking safety features and hardened spaces can put an end to violent outbursts inside schools.”This is obviously a very complex problem that architecture alone is definitely not going to fix,” McKenzie said. “But us being part of the conversation is really helpful, I think.”It’s a conversation McKenzie has had repeatedly with school communities that want safer buildings. During those talks, she said the toughest questions typically come from young people who have the most to lose.”Sometimes it’s the students asking, which is heartbreaking, ‘What am I going to do if there’s an active shooter? Where do I go? Where do I hide?’ And it’s a terrifying question to respond to and my heart sinks then, too,” McKenzie said.Last week, three Greater Cincinnati school districts – Princeton City Schools, Indian Hills Exempted Village and the Oak Hills – found out they are in line to get tens of thousands of dollars from the state of Ohio for safety enhancements. It’s a new round of grant money. While it may not be enough for major upgrades, McKenzie said any amount of cash can help. As an example, she said camera systems keep falling in price, making them an option more local schools can afford.
As someone whose job is to use technology and experience to make schools as safe as possible, the news out of Texas this week hit Allison McKenzie hard.
“Days when I hear a news story about a school shooting are incredibly difficult,” McKenzie said. “As a school architect, I literally – my breath catches, my stomach drops.”
But her resolve remains strong.
“Because I do think that design can have an impact on what happens during these mass shooter or active shooter events,” McKenzie said.
By design, WLWT investigator Todd Dykes has spent time in a growing number of schools in Greater Cincinnati that now have robust camera systems that can spot potential threats.
One recently built school just north of the Queen City has garage doors that can seal off classrooms from an intruder.
Classroom windows could also be covered with a shatter-resistant film that Dykes had a chance to test out firsthand when he fired a handgun at a covered pane of glass.
While impressive, McKenzie cautions against thinking safety features and hardened spaces can put an end to violent outbursts inside schools.
“This is obviously a very complex problem that architecture alone is definitely not going to fix,” McKenzie said. “But us being part of the conversation is really helpful, I think.”
It’s a conversation McKenzie has had repeatedly with school communities that want safer buildings. During those talks, she said the toughest questions typically come from young people who have the most to lose.
“Sometimes it’s the students asking, which is heartbreaking, ‘What am I going to do if there’s an active shooter? Where do I go? Where do I hide?’ And it’s a terrifying question to respond to and my heart sinks then, too,” McKenzie said.
Last week, three Greater Cincinnati school districts – Princeton City Schools, Indian Hills Exempted Village and the Oak Hills – found out they are in line to get tens of thousands of dollars from the state of Ohio for safety enhancements.
It’s a new round of grant money. While it may not be enough for major upgrades, McKenzie said any amount of cash can help. As an example, she said camera systems keep falling in price, making them an option more local schools can afford.