Safety and Emergency Services

Lexington One prioritizes the safety and well-being of all students, staff, and visitors. We achieve this through a comprehensive approach that combines collaboration, proactive measures, and advanced security systems.

Dedicated Safety Team: The district leadership includes a Director of Safety and Emergency Services, two Coordinators of Safety and Emergency Services, a full-time hearing officer, and a district-level safety team to oversee and implement safety initiatives.
Individualized School Safety Plans: Each school has a detailed safety plan reviewed annually to address potential issues and ensure consistent protocols across the district.
Secure Buildings: All schools have secure front entrances, requiring visitors to check in at the front office. Automated checks against sex offender registries are conducted on every visitor.
School Resources Officers at all schools: All elementary, middle and high schools, the Alternative Educational Services program, and the Lexington Technology Center have dedicated School Resource Officers (SROs) who provide a visible presence and build positive relationships with students.
Enhanced Security Features: Phones are available in every classroom for immediate communication. Security cameras with video and audio recording are installed throughout schools and on buses. Many elementary schools offer after-school programs or safe havens to provide additional supervision.
Visitor Management: All visitors must check in and out at the front office, regardless of the time of day. Visitors and volunteers wear name badges for easy identification.

We understand that safety requires ongoing vigilance. Lexington One is committed to regularly reviewing and updating our safety protocols to ensure a secure and welcoming learning environment for all.

S.C. Law Enforcement Division’s Sex Offender Registry

Stay informed through ParentSquare.

Lexington One families will receive district and school emergency notifications via ParentSquare.

ParentSquare automatically generates an account for each parent, using the email address and phone number on file with your child's school. We encourage parents to access their accounts so they can download the mobile app to make sure they are notified in case of an emergency.

Tip Line

Submit a report by:

calling or texting (803) 636-8317;
filling out this form; or
emailing 1607@alert1.us

When submitting a report, please leave a detailed message that includes the name of the school or office where the concern happened.

You may also contact Midlands Crimestoppers at 1(888) 274-6372.

Lexington One's Clear Bag Procedure

Information and Guidelines

Information and Guidelines

Individuals will be permitted to carry one clear bag, not to exceed 12 inches x 6 inches x 12 inches. A small clutch or wallet can be carried separately or be included in this clear tote. The clutch or wallet should not exceed 4.5 inches x 6.5 inches (approximately the size of a hand with or without a handle or strap).

A clear bag is not required in order to carry small permissible items such as keys, wallets, cell phones, credit cards, cash, etc., which should be carried in a pocket.

As part of the district’s efforts to continue improving and advancing safety and security measures, Lexington One was implemented August 22, 2022, for all sporting events.

Chris Ellisor

Director of Safety and Emergency Services

cellisor@lexington1.net

Shaun Spivey

Safety and Emergency Services Coordinator

sspivey@lexington1.net

Howard Cook

Security and Emergency Services Coordinator

hcook@lexington1.net

Become a School Resources Officer!

Want to make a difference in your community? School resource officers foster safe schools, build relationships with students, and provide crime prevention services. It’s a rewarding career with a positive impact.

Click here to apply!

FAQs

What plans are in place to help students stay safe at school?

Each school has a safety team and a detailed school safety plan. We review these plans annually in an effort to eliminate any oversights and to provide continuity throughout our schools. Safety drills are reviewed and completed every school year.

All schools’ front entrances are secure entrances. When someone enters a school with a secure entrance, that person must go through the school’s front office. In addition, each school has a comprehensive visitor check-in and check-out system located designed to help ensure that no unauthorized person enters.

We have school resources officers from the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department, the Lexington Police Department and the Pelion Police Department at all our elementary, middle and high schools, AES and Lexington Technology Center.

What happens in a school emergency?

Lexington One follows the Standard Response Protocol from the “I Love You Guys” Foundation.

HOLD!

In room/area.
Clear halls.

SECURE!

Get inside. Lock
the doors

LOCKDOWN!

Locks, lights,
out of site.

EVACUATE!

A location may
be specified.

SHELTER!

Hazard and
safety strategy.

Learn how Lexington County Sheriff's Department SROs and Major Crimes respond to school threats

What can families do during a school emergency?

Please know that in the event of a school emergency or crisis, we are first doing what is needed to protect your students; then we’ll communicate with available information. It is important to remain calm and monitor information sources.

We understand the natural instinct to want to call or go to the school immediately. However, phone lines, staff and roads are needed for emergency response and need to remain open. Parents/guardians will not be allowed on campus during an emergency or crisis.

Refrain from calling or texting your students. The sound, vibration or conversation may put students in danger. Students need to be paying attention to instructions from trained staff.

Depending on the situation, students may need to be evacuated to another location and parents/guardians will be kept informed throughout that process.

What does Lexington One do to help student mental health?

The district has a suicide prevention policy, Policy JLDBB Suicide Prevention. It requires that all secondary certified staff, school counselors, school social workers and psychologists be trained in suicide prevention. The training helps staff recognize early warning signals and gives them steps to take if they have concerns about a student.

In addition, the district has established suicide risk assessment procedures. School counselors and school psychologists have been trained to use a suicide risk assessment checklist to assess students who have verbally or otherwise expressed suicidal thoughts. This process may include a re-entry plan meeting with the student and parent.

Lexington District One has a grief and loss crisis response checklist, and resources are also provided to teachers and staff when they are handling grief and loss situations.