Why is the district creating emergency shelters?
We continually review our crisis management plans and look for ways to improve, and our schools practice a variety of emergency drills. A recent study of our disaster preparedness found that the district needs to be prepared to house students at schools for up to 72 hours following a major earthquake or other disaster. Following such a disaster, parents may not be able to reunite with students immediately, or students may not have a home to go to. Part of Proposition 9 will fund the enhancement of boilers at 18 schools to run on diesel as well as natural gas, and will also fund portable generators and other improvements. Those schools could then provide heat and light for students even if natural gas service to the schools is disrupted. The 18 sites are geographically dispersed throughout the Municipality so that every school districtwide is served by a shelter site.
