The Shawano School Board unanimously approved a comprehensive school safety plan Dec. 22 slated to go into effect for the new year, even though multiple board members did not receive the 119-page plan until minutes before the vote took place.
Shawn Mathwich, buildings and grounds director, started his presentation saying that the board members should have received the plan, but at least four board members indicated the plan was not included with the board meeting materials. The plan was subsequently loaded later after Mathwich’s presentation.
Mathwich noted that he was tasked in 2023 with the schools’ safety and security, which prompted him to review the existing plan. He consulted with experts and updated the plan.
“This revised safety plan is built on a simple, but critical, belief: Safety is the foundation for learning,” Mathwich said. “The plan aligns with Wisconsin Statutes and Department of Public Instruction requirements and is proposed to take effect Jan. 1, 2026.”
Mathwich said the plan addresses five key components for security and safety — preventative, protection, mitigation, response and recovery. He noted the Shawano police and fire departments, along with Shawano County emergency management services, were part of the development of the plan, along with parents, staff and community members.
“Key elements include prevention and training through PBIS (Positive Behavioral Intervention Systems), conflict resolution, health and safety curriculum, required staff FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) certifications and annual drills for tornado, fire, lockdown and reunification,” Mathwich said. “It reinforces clear policies such as weapons-free and drug-free zones, bullying prevention and mandatory reporting.”
The plan also requires annual reviews of safety policies, according to Mathwich, along with monthly meetings of safety teams and after-action reports when incidents occur.
Board member Bobbi Lemerond was one of the board members who did not receive the safety plan prior to the meeting.
“I’d like to see it,” Lemerond said.
Mathwich said not much had changed in the proposed plan since October, when it was first presented to the district’s operations committee.
Superintendent Kurt Krizan added that the revising work had been going on since spring with a number of reviews.
Board member Christine McKinnies, who also did not have the plan with her board meeting materials, said she would be in favor of the plan and trusted Mathwich’s judgment.
“Knowing that you have a team and you are working with a lot of people on this, I’m going to take your word for it that you’ve done your due diligence, and it’s a safer thing,” McKinnies said. “It probably didn’t make a difference if I reviewed this or not.”
lpulaski@newmedia-wi.com
