School Safety/Drills

Dear Harford Families and Community:

Hartford Public Schools is committed to the physical and mental well-being of our staff and students. To this end, we have three mental health clinicians, a School Resource Officer, and a School Nurse on staff supporting the District each day. Each building has a trained Medical Emergency Response Team (MERT). We are proud to share that we were the first District in Van Buren county to have a fully trained and established safety assessment team per the new state BTAM requirements. Members of this team address potential threats to school safety, develop needed safety protocols, and support student mental health. 

We are grateful to have strong partnerships with our first responders and local law enforcement agencies. We are proud to share our facilities with our partners for training exercises to help promote a rapid and effective response in an emergency or crisis.

We are also pleased to share that we are partnering with The LockOut Co. to install the SmartBoot System. The SmartBoot System is an interior door barrier device paired with special lighting and communication systems that help create safe spaces and support rapid communication and response during a threat. It has capabilities to notify our entire district of a lockdown and connect directly with first responders. More information on this robust safety system can be found at: https://youtu.be/qXmb7ArtUos.

Maintaining the well-being of our Hartford Public Schools staff and students is vitally important and we will continue our efforts to provide the highest levels of safety and support for our schools

School Safety Letter

Deputy, Nate Penning

Safety Coordinator

Email Safety Coordinator

269-621-7104

Drill Reports
Safety Response Protocal
Safe Storage Information

Safe Storage Information

Hartford Public Schools is committed to providing our students and staff with a safe educational environment, which remains one of our top priorities. Our district’s Safety Advisory Committee, in collaboration with the Hartford Police Department, aims to inform families about recent changes in Michigan regarding secure storage practices.

In summary, the State of Michigan adopted new regulations in 2024. Gun owners in Michigan are now required to store guns securely to prevent unauthorized access by children and teens. To comply, gun owners must take precautions when they store or leave a firearm unattended anywhere that it is reasonably likely that a minor (anyone under age 18) might be present. Gun owners may be subject to criminal penalties if they fail to follow these requirements, and a minor gains access to their firearm.

We are all aware of incidents of gun violence in surrounding communities and across the nation; thus, keeping guns secure from children is essential, regardless of who owns the firearms. Gun locks are free of charge and available at all Hartford Public Schools and the District Board Office. 

Please visit the Michigan Department of Education's Safe Storage Law page on their website for more information.

Nate Penning

Officer Nate Penning is apart of our Central Office team from the Van Buren County Sheriff's Office. He has many years of law enforcement experience and currently serves as the County Dive Team Assistant Captain. His office is housed in the high school, but he works with all buildings to increase our safety and security.

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Safety Incident Form