Procedures Praised As Clearer
The Rockbridge County School Board voted unanimously Aug. 12 to approve updated crisis management plans for the 2025–26 school year, completing the final step in a state-required certification process.
Safety coordinator Jason Breeding led the revision effort this summer, working with principals on school safety audits, conducting site visits, and converting past plans into a new format developed by the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS). Board members praised the updated documents as clearer and easier to navigate, with color-coded charts, symbols, and links to resources.
But Superintendent Phillip Thompson emphasized in an email to The News-Gazette that the changes go beyond formatting. RCPS has incorporated several new requirements and protocols into the plans, including the Cardiac Response Plan and detailed procedures for assisting students with disabilities or mobility challenges during emergencies.
Most significantly, RCPS has adopted the Standard Response Protocol (SRP) and Standard Reunification Method (SRM) — statewide approaches now used in about 95 percent of Virginia school divisions.
“The SRP provides clear, consistent, plain-language responses for staff, students, and emergency responders,” Thompson explained. “This approach replaces the previous color-coded system, which required staff to recall and interpret color meanings during emergencies. By using plain language, the SRP reduces confusion, ensures quicker responses, and enhances the safety and well-being of students and staff.”
The SRP outlines five specific actions practiced during state-mandated drills: “Hold” – to keep hallways clear; “Secure” – to safeguard students and staff inside the building; “Lockdown” – to secure classrooms and keep students quiet and in place; “Evacuate” – to move to a different location; and “Shelter” – to respond to a specific hazard such as a tornado or earthquake.
Thompson noted that the consistent terminology will help reinforce expectations as students advance from elementary through high school. The plans also spell out how families will be reunited with children after an incident, though specific evacuation sites are not published publicly for safety reasons.
Board member Lenna P. Ojure raised questions at the meeting about how parents can access or learn about the procedures. Breeding said the plans are public documents and options include sending informational letters home or using DCJS training modules with students and families. Every RCPS staff member has a copy of their school’s plan.
Though some details remain fluid — such as confirming an evacuation site in the Mountain View area and updating crisis team rosters over time — the Board approved the plans with confidence.
“Our goal remains to provide the safest possible environment for our students, staff, and community,” Thompson said. “As RCPS continues to implement these practices, we will actively seek feedback from staff and make ongoing improvements.”
