ADE Summit 2026

This session will provide an overview of DESE’s School Safety Incident and Communication Protocol, explaining how Arkansas school districts, educational cooperatives, the Safe Schools Unit, and DESE leadership collaborate during school safety incidents and other significant events. Participants will learn how the tiered, bidirectional communication structure supports the clear, timely exchange of critical information and enables coordinated responses at the local, regional, and state levels.
In addition, the session will address key school safety building considerations, highlighting how facility design, access control, and emergency response features support incident prevention and mitigation. This portion of the presentation underscores how thoughtful planning and building design can strengthen physical security and enhance overall safety for students and staff.