Glenbard District 87 to Add Canine Detection Teams to Safety Protocols
Dear District 87 Community,
The safety of our students and staff is our top priority at Glenbard District 87. As part of our ongoing commitment to safety, we regularly review and evaluate our security practices and protocols. This includes working closely with security experts and local law enforcement, as well as exploring emerging technologies and methods to strengthen the multi-layered approach within our comprehensive safety and security program.
On February 10th, the District 87 Board of Education voted to approve the addition of canine detection teams within our schools. The canine teams will include a certified handler and a specially trained dog who work in the school environment. The dog helps detect and identify potentially dangerous items or materials that may be at school, and will discreetly notify the handler.
The program takes approximately 3 to 4 months to prepare the canine detection teams for deployment, which aligns well with a June rollout during summer school. Deploying the teams during summer school will allow students and staff the opportunity to get to know the handler and canine in advance of the 2025-26 school year.
Canine detection programs have demonstrated proven success in a variety of high-traffic environments, including concerts, sporting events, amusement parks, and other school districts. The dogs in the District 87 program are specially trained to work safely and effectively in school settings, including being around students. The dogs have a calm demeanor and are specifically trained not to bark or interact with people other than their handler while working. The canine detection teams are not deployed until all training and certification requirements are fully met, and the handler is able to reside within the local area they will serve.
We understand that you may have many questions about this program. Please see the list of FAQs on the District 87 website for commonly asked questions.
As part of our comprehensive safety planning, we have established a centralized email for families of Glenbard students to contact when they have questions about our ongoing safety work. Please email us at [email protected] with any questions or suggestions about canine detection or any of our other safety mitigation efforts.
Thank you for your continued support as we work together to ensure the safety and well-being of our students and staff.
David F. Larson, Ed.D.
Superintendent
