The Troy School District was evaluated by a safety consultant earlier this fall and received high marks.

Secure Education Consultants (SEC), based in Michigan, performed its evaluation of Troy Schools on Sept. 29 as part of the company's broader voluntary safety evaluations throughout the state of Montana.

“Troy School District has done a remarkable job in developing and executing extremely comprehensive safety and security plans, and it currently provides very safe and secure environments for its staff and students,” SEC said in its report.

The company provided a report to the Troy School District which will help the Troy School District provide a safe and secure environment for students and staff, according to Jacob Francom, superintendent of Troy Public Schools.

The report recommended the continued practice of various drills – such as fire, lockdown drills or earthquakes. It also said ongoing procedure updates should continue. They would include social media monitoring – a longstanding precaution where the school asks students, parents, or community members to report suspicious behavior or threats seen online – and updating locking mechanisms and other safety suggestions, according to Francom.

The school board will make recommendations on priority improvements in a report to the district. The safety plans are developed by the Troy School District.

Administrators, the school board, staff and local law enforcement work together to build emergency procedures for the school. Other parties, such as the fire department, are aware of the safety protocols in place, and will practice at the schools, or complete facility inspections.

Francom said the district is continually looking for ways to improve safety and security for students, visitors and staff.

Some of these recent improvements include an increased focus on mental health services for students, landscape improvements that allow for better traffic flow, additional security cameras throughout district facilities and buses and the regular safety training of all staff, Francom said.

Another step that the school district has taken to improve safety is buying and training staff members in the use of Narcan. When used correctly the drug is effective at reversing overdoses caused by opioids, such as fentanyl.

Looking to the future, the school district is currently evaluating ways to combat teen vaping, which has increased among teens throughout the county, Francom said.

The school district is also considering hiring the current school resource officer on as a full-time position, as opposed to part-time.

“The district would like to thank the Troy Police Department, especially Officer Henry Roy and Maintenance Director Keith Haggerty for their continued support and focus in ensuring the schools stay safe and secure,” Francom said.