Safety & Security
At Rochester Community Schools, the safety and well-being of our students, staff and families is our highest priority.
While safety measures may sometimes require adjustments to daily routines, they are rooted in a deep commitment to creating secure, welcoming environments for all. One of the district's greatest strengths is the strong foundation of trust and connection shared among students, staff and community partners.
To support that shared commitment, RCS has created a dedicated safety and security webpage that provides families and staff with access to important information, resources and updates. This site is designed to promote transparency, enhance preparedness and ensure that stakeholders know how to respond in an emergency.
Students are encouraged to speak with a trusted adult if they see or hear anything concerning, and community members are invited to share input through the Talk to RCS feature on the district website. For anonymous tips, Michigan's student safety program, OK2SAY, remains an important tool in promoting a culture of awareness and care.
Security Platform
Rochester Community Schools has launched a safety platform to streamline resources and reduce emergency response times. This news story, introducing the Centegix crisis alert system at Rochester Community Schools, aired on WXYZ-TV 7 on May 15, 2025.
People, Tools and Preparation
School resource officers (SROs) from the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office and Rochester Police Department are embedded in RCS school buildings, providing a law enforcement presence and education for students. The SRO team is assisted by Shield security professionals who have built trusted relationships as they monitor school entrances, parking lots, hallways and video surveillance systems.
School personnel are well-trained in safety awareness and protocols. Front office staff guide guests through a visitor management system upon entry. District employees are required to wear an ID badge and their unique Centegix crisis alert and assistance badge.
The district critical incident team is comprised of school professionals from a variety of disciplines, supported by first responders and school resource officers.
Every individual has a role to play in school safety. All staff are trained and empowered to respond.
Rochester Community Schools has invested in innovative technology for safety and security.
The newly integrated Centegix system enhances existing tools, providing all employees with a wearable crisis alert badge, empowering them to signal for immediate help with the push of a button. The device uses digital mapping and real-time locating capabilities to call for assistance or initiate a lockdown if faced with a threat in or near the building.
This safety platform adds to a multi-layered approach to safety that includes districtwide emergency response protocols, emergency radios, cameras, CPR and first-aid training and other strategic investments that enhance and expedite the crisis response.
RCS safety teams also use online monitoring technology to review activity on district-issued laptop computers. This technology looks for concerning activity related to threats of violence or self-harm from students.
In cooperation with safety partners, RCS utilizes and updates emergency operations plans that detail how people and property will be protected in emergencies. All members of the safety community use a standard response protocol with clear, unified vocabulary and instruction.
State-required, periodic safety drills are conducted for emergency situations including fire, severe weather and active violence lockdown.
Staff are trained in proactive threat assessment protocols that provide explicit guidance for school administrators, mental health practitioners and school resource officers to engage students who exhibit signs of concern.
The district participates in OK2SAY, the state’s student safety program where individuals confidentially report concerns. Public safety professionals work directly with school administrators to address potential threats.
Prevention and Response Measures
Emergency Preparedness and Response
As part of its ongoing commitment to emergency preparedness, RCS has implemented standard response protocols in every school and provided comprehensive active assailant training to all staff. A district critical incident team collaborates with school-based leadership and local emergency agencies to ensure coordinated action. The district's emergency operations plans have been updated and board-approved. Key staff have participated in the National Association of School Psychologists PREPaRE school safety training to further enhance emergency prevention, management, response and recovery practices.
Emotional and Behavioral Health Supports
To support student well-being, RCS has expanded mental health and safety initiatives across the district. Staff collaborate with a professional nurse, local first responders and community partners for preparedness and training in medical and mental health emergencies. Implementation of behavioral threat assessment and management (BTAM) tools and strategies allows district staff to systematically identify, assess and manage potential threats in a supportive and collaborative manner, reflecting a proactive approach to student safety.
Technology and Surveillance Upgrades
The district's strategic investment in technology continues to enhance safety across all facilities and school campuses. In the past year, RCS installed over 100 new security cameras, upgraded video surveillance systems across 1,500 active devices placed in high-traffic areas, and enhanced bus coverage. More than 100 district radios with upgraded repeaters strengthen real-time communication. Tools like GoGuardian, the Centegix rapid response system, and new visitor management solutions help ensure secure digital environments and efficient emergency response.
Personnel and Safety Roles
Recognizing that physical presence is key to prevention and response, RCS has expanded safety personnel to include a dedicated district security consultant, a team of school resource officers (SROs) to provide districtwide coverage, and Shield security staff stationed at each middle school and high school. These team members play an integral role in daily operations, relationship-building, resource sharing and incident response. Their presence, in combination with training efforts and newly implemented systems, helps ensure that every school community is supported by visible, knowledgeable safety professionals who are ready to respond and lead during critical situations.
Facility Enhancements for Safety
Continued facilities upgrades support secure and accessible learning environments. This includes the installation of secure vestibules at every building, thumb-turn locks on all classroom doors for safe and easy lockdown procedures, and additional panic buttons in school offices for rapid alerts. To better support safety during lockdowns, window film, blinds and shades have been installed in designated spaces. To address physical accessibility, resurfaced high school steps meet ADA recommendations for students with visual impairments. Additionally, Knox Boxes are installed in all district buildings to provide emergency responders with quick access when needed.
Health and Life-Saving Measures
Every RCS school is MI HeartSafe-endorsed, reflecting the district's dedication to preparedness for life-threatening emergencies. Each building has a trained cardiac response team, and CPR certification has been completed for 30 additional district staff, through grant funding. To increase coverage, the fleet of AED (automated external defibrillator) devices has been upgraded with 40 additional units. These life-saving measures, combined with enhanced training and accessible emergency equipment, help strengthen the response to medical emergencies and protect the well-being of all individuals in RCS school communities.
Handouts and Resources
Emergency Safety Reports by School
Frequently Asked Questions
- How does the district enhance school security for students, staff and guests?
- What safety procedures are in place?
- Are public safety officials present in our schools?
- Where can I find information on district emergency drills?
- What type of safety training is provided for staff?
- Does the district have formal emergency operations plans?
- As a parent/caregiver, how can I help?
How does the district enhance school security for students, staff and guests?
What safety procedures are in place?
Are public safety officials present in our schools?
Where can I find information on district emergency drills?
What type of safety training is provided for staff?
Does the district have formal emergency operations plans?
As a parent/caregiver, how can I help?
Secure Storage Law
In Feb. 2023, the Board of Education passed a resolution in support of gun safety and storage. The resolution is located on the RCS website.
Michigan’s secure storage law went into effect on Feb. 13, 2024, to help protect Michigan’s youth and reduce firearm injuries. The law requires firearm owners to securely store firearms whenever minors are present or likely to be present. It also requires schools to share information with all parents and guardians, which is intended to help families and firearm owners understand and comply with Michigan's secure storage law.
The following resources include important information about Michigan’s requirements for the storage of firearms.
- What is the Secure Storage Law in Michigan? This one-page summary of MCL 28.429 outlines secure storage requirements, importance and benefits of secure storage to help keep children safe, and frequently asked questions.
- Safe Storage Notice for House Bills 5450 & 5451, outlines safe storage requirements for firearms, penalties for noncompliance, and frequently asked questions.
- Project Childsafe offers age-appropriate videos and tips for talking with children about gun safety.
- Be Smart focuses on promoting responsible gun ownership and secure firearm storage to reduce accidental shootings and deaths among children.
- The following are additional resources for families.
- University of Michigan Institute for Firearm Injury Prevention, Parents guide to home firearm safety
- American Association of Pediatrics, Gun safety campaign toolkit
- Healthychildren.org from the American Academy of Pediatrics, Guns in the home: How to keep kids safe and safety prevention at play
- Additional resources and information can be found on Michigan Department of Education Safe Storage Law webpage.
Safe Storage Law Frequently Asked Questions
- Does the safe storage law apply to all firearms or only certain types?
- Does this law apply to both loaded and unloaded firearms?
- Do I need to use a specific type of lock or safe to comply?
- What should I do if I suspect another child might have access to a firearm that isn’t being securely stored, in violation of the law?
- Where can I get a lock box, container or a locking device?
- Are there exceptions to the law?
- As a non-gun owner, how can I make sure that children and teenagers stay safe when they visit homes with firearms?