LIVERMORE FALLS — Safety concerns while in public places, particularly in schools are probably at the forefront of most people’s minds following the Oct. 25 mass shooting in Lewiston.
The Livermore Falls Advertiser reviewed recent activities in Regional School Unit 73 regarding school safety and found several actions taken.
In November 2018, board of directors were given a report on the formation of a RSU 73 Safety Committee by Karen Barnes, district social worker at the time. Ken Vining, then transportation/maintenance director and Jay Police Chief Richard Caton IV were committee members and also shared information.
One of the committee’s recommendations was to hire a school resource officer. In June 2019 Darin Gilbert was hired for the position. Gilbert organized a live shooter training with local police departments during school vacation in February 2020.
Joseph Sage is the current SRO.
In October 2022, an article in the Sun Journal shared that the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office received a $347,495 federal grant, with collaboration from police in Carrabassett Valley, Farmington, Jay, Rangeley and Wilton. The grant would improve communication with school officials in Franklin County through the use of new equipment and technology that would allow police to focus attention on a specific area in emergency situations.
The Livermore Falls Advertiser reached out to RSU 73 Superintendent Scott Albert for information on updates to the district’s safety plans. Below are the questions [in bold print] and responses received via email from Albert Sunday afternoon.
Is the Safety Committee still active and if so, what are some of the recent things it has worked on?
Yes it is. Actually Wednesday afternoon during our early release Joe Sage did a district wide presentation/update on active shooter training [Avoid, Deny, Defend].
Are there plans in the works to take a closer look at school safety given the shootings in Lewiston, and if so, what that might entail?
No, not because of what happened in Lewiston but we are in the middle of a safety audit by RJ Goan which is a part of the safety grant.
Approximately how much of the federal grant has or will RSU 73 be able to use?
We have not used anything yet. We are waiting for the audit to finish to see where our weaknesses may be and what we would fiscally be able to fix/upgrade.
What is the match that RSU 73 will be expected to contribute towards the grant and is in kind service a possibility? If so, please explain.
Twenty five percent match of any money we may receive from the grant. It may not have to be direct money, it could be safety training we receive or something else.
How has RSU 73 benefitted from the grant?
We haven’t yet financially but the Safety Audit will be helpful.
If there are other things being worked on either regionally or at the state level regarding safety or active shooter situations, please share those.
Mostly just working together with the area schools who are part of the safety grant. Sharing what everyone else is doing and having consistent discussions on the matter is helpful.
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