Dear KFCS Families, Staff, and Community Members,
By now, many of you have heard the heartbreaking news out of Bend, Oregon regarding the tragedy at Silver Rail Elementary School. Our deepest sympathies and prayers go out to the entire Bend community, the families who lost loved ones, and all those deeply affected by this unimaginable event.
When a tragedy occurs so close to home, it naturally causes concern and brings the safety of our own children and schools to the forefront of our minds. Moments like this serve as a solemn reminder that maintaining a safe learning environment is a continuous responsibility, one we actively build and reinforce every single day.
I want to reassure our community about the proactive safety measures, protocols, and technologies currently in place across Klamath Falls City Schools:
- Advanced Threat Detection: Our district utilizes ZeroEyes, an AI-powered visual gun detection system integrated into our camera network. It monitors for visible threats in real time and immediately alerts local law enforcement in the event of an emergency.
- Visitor Management & Preparedness: We use Raptor technology to track all visitors on campus and coordinate swift response plans during emergencies.
- Standard Response Protocol (SRP): All KFCS campuses follow the standardized SRP guidelines, Secure, Lockdown, Evacuate, and Shelter, to ensure clear, disciplined action in any critical situation.
- Access Control & Door Safety: Technology is essential, but basic safety habits remain our strongest defense. We strictly enforce a policy of keeping all exterior and classroom doors locked at all times. We treat this as a mandatory practice across every campus to ensure our perimeter security is never compromised.
Beyond technology and protocols, our most effective safety measure is a vigilant, supportive community. We remind all staff, students, and parents: if you see or hear something concerning, say something immediately. Never hesitate to report an issue, no matter how small it may seem, we will always take it seriously and follow up.
If you have questions about our safety procedures or need further clarification, please do not hesitate to contact Brett Lemieux, our district safety team, or our dedicated School Resource Officers, Officer Meza and Officer Davenport.
Thank you for your ongoing partnership, trust, and commitment to keeping our school community safe.
Sincerely,
Dr. Keith Brown
Superintendent, Klamath Falls City Schools