By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post

Hays schools have cooperated with law enforcement, Thomas More Prep-Marian and Holy Family to create a Crisis Management Plan for the district.

Superintendent John Thissen said because emergency teams would work with all schools in the city to do the same things, it seemed unnecessary to duplicate meetings.

The document not only discusses fire and tornadoes, but also possible intruders and emergencies like toxic fume leaks.

He said the process of creating the document has helped the district identify gaps in its emergency planning.

The district noted because of their proximity Wilson and the middle school might need to be on alert at the same time.

The district had in its plan to evacuate students at O’Loughlin to TMP, but staff realized that school could be under a similar threat and students might need to go elsewhere.

The school board also talked about the need to include substitute teachers in the crisis plans, address situations when students are outside during emergencies and areas of schools that are not reached by intercoms.

The 100-page document, which was presented to the board Monday, will be condensed to a two-page handout for teachers and staff and will be further discussed at the building level.

Thissen said he anticipates the document will continue to grow and evolve and likely will be updated every year.