School districts reviewing safety protocols after Abbotsford stabbing
School safety expert says schools across province will be looking at procedures
School districts in Abbotsford and Vancouver are reviewing their security protocols following Tuesday's attacks at Abbotsford Secondary school.
13-year-old Letisha Reimer was killed and a 14-year-old girl is recovering in hospital.
"We want our schools to be places that are open and welcoming to families and to students," said Abbotsford school district superintendent Kevin Godden.
"Whenever there's a situation like this, we review our protocol … we're working carefully with some national experts and the province of B.C. on this issue."
Godden was quick to credit staff for swiftly locking down both Abbotsford senior and junior secondary schools and restraining the suspect during what police called a 'random act of violence.'
"The quick reaction of our school staff shows that our critical incident protocols are effective," he said.
Godden also announced Wednesday the outside doors of all secondary schools in the district would also be locked.
Other schools reviewing safety
Theresa Campbell with the group 'Safer Schools Together,' which provides emergency management and anti-bullying strategies to B.C. schools, says her group will be checking to see if all schools in the province should lock their doors every day.
"You do come across different procedures and practice depending on what district you're in," said Campbell.
"I can assure you that in this province this is going to be a question we are going to be spending some time responding to in the next couple days."
Parents at Ecole Andre-Piolat in North Vancouver were given notices Wednesday about tighter security measures in light of the attacks.
The Vancouver School Board says schools hold two lockdown drills a year and it will review its procedures as well.
With files from Brenna Rose