A Shared Commitment to School Safety

Borg Report September 2, 2026

As we prepare to welcome students back to school for the 2026-27 school year, our campuses are once again filled with the energy and anticipation that come with a new beginning. Each school year brings new opportunities for learning, connection and growth, and we’re excited to welcome students back through our doors on Tuesday.

Looking ahead, I want to take a moment to highlight the many ways we work together to prioritize safety across our school campuses. While no system is perfect, we remain committed to continuous improvement and collaboration. School safety is multifaceted, relying on strong operational systems, trusted relationships and communication, regular training, partnerships with local emergency responders, and secure, responsive facilities.

As a parent, I understand the deep trust you place in us each day when you send your children to school. Please know that the safety of our students is our top priority at Westonka Public Schools. It’s a responsibility we all share, and one we never take lightly.

Safety in Construction Zones

One area requiring extra attention this year is construction safety. During the 2026-27 school year, work will continue inside Westonka High School and around the campus, particularly at the new high school track and stadium and in the courtyard. For everyone’s safety, please do not enter construction zones or bypass fencing, barricades, or signage. These are active work areas with heavy equipment and changing conditions. Read more about the Westonka High School construction.

We have also implemented new arrival and dismissal procedures at Westonka High School to improve safety and traffic flow on campus.

New School Bus Safety Law

Please be aware of a new school bus safety law enacted in March. Drivers must stop at least 20 feet away from a school bus whenever the red lights are flashing.

This applies whether the stop arm is extended or not.
This applies when approaching from behind the bus.
This applies to oncoming traffic on undivided roads.

Learn more on the Minnesota Department of Public Safety website.

Secure and Responsive Facilities

Thanks to our community’s support of the 2023 bond referendum, we’ve made major strides in facility safety. Westonka's school buildings feature secure main entrances with intercom systems that require visitors to check in before being granted access. Once inside, all visitors must sign in at the front office before proceeding further.

Recent safety upgrades across our schools include:

Centralized lockdown capacity
Door alarms and visual strobes
Hardened glass in main entrances and other select areas
The ability to isolate specific zones within the building, providing public access only where it’s needed

Safety upgrades at Westonka High School are nearing completion as part of the ongoing redesign. As construction continues in select areas of the building and campus, high school staff and administrators will continue to adjust procedures as needed to maintain a safe learning environment. For more information on the bond-funded improvements, please visit www.westonka.k12.mn.us/bondprojects.

Standard Response Protocol

Beyond our day-to-day campus safety measures, preparation is an important part of how we keep students and staff safe. Westonka schools use the Standard Response Protocol (SRP), developed by the I Love U Guys Foundation in partnership with law enforcement. The SRP provides students, staff and first responders with common language and clear actions to follow during an emergency.

Throughout the school year, students and staff learn and practice five SRP actions:

Hold: Keep hallways clear and remain in classrooms or designated areas.
Secure: Bring everyone inside and lock exterior doors due to activity in the surrounding area.
Lockdown: Secure behind locked doors when there is a perceived danger inside or immediately near the building.
Evacuate: Move to a different location when it is necessary to leave the building or area.
Shelter: Take protective action in response to a hazard, such as severe weather.

Regular training and practice help students and staff respond calmly and appropriately when a situation arises. Our safety efforts are supported by the Orono and Minnetrista police departments, our School Resource Officers and the Mound Fire Department. Westonka staff are also trained in the Standard Reunification Method should students ever need to be safely reunited with their families following an emergency.

Supporting Student Well-Being

Safe schools are also supportive schools. Through our Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) framework, Westonka works proactively to identify students’ academic, behavioral and mental health needs and connect students and families with appropriate support. Just as importantly, we encourage all members of the community—students, staff, parents and residents—to report any concerns shared at school, on social media, or in the community to a trusted staff member.

Westonka High School also offers a Student Wellness and Safety Tip Line in Schoology for students to report non-emergency concerns. Open, proactive communication helps us address potential issues before they escalate.

Please Check Your Contact Information

As part of your back-to-school preparations, please confirm your contact information in Skyward Family Access. This information is used in ParentSquare and is critical to ensuring you receive timely school and district communications, including critical alerts.

Please also review your student’s emergency contacts. Emergency contacts should be someone other than a parent or guardian who can be reached if your child becomes ill or there is an emergency. Whenever possible, they should live locally and be available to respond if needed.

Thank you for your partnership in helping us maintain safe, supportive learning environments for every student. We look forward to a safe and successful school year.

Sincerely,

Kevin Borg
Superintendent
Westonka Public Schools