2. October 2012 Webinar The contents of this document are not prescriptive best practices for every school or school district, but rather suggestions to consider in a school or district’s emergency management efforts.

3. Schools have historically served as voting locations Schools are a major part of the communities we live in

5. Calendar issues Professional Development Days on major elections Number of voting days Primaries Special Elections Runoffs

6. Issues with not using schools as voting locations Lack of adequate locations Parking availability Political concerns Tradition

7. Voter access to student areas Parking issues Traffic flow—am school start and pm dismissal Restroom access Disruptions of the normal school day Emotions of voters Non-custodial parents Sexual predators Schools work hard on safety and security precautions only to “open up” the facility on election day?

8. If no students…. Safety concerns for staff? Open classrooms Confidentiality concerns Parents/voters with questions/concerns

9. School Specific Polling Locations Safety & Security Issues Guidelines for Poll Workers Open-Close Times and Plans For Such Parking Procedures Ingress and Egress Locations Emergency Communications Restroom Use

10. County authority and duties of county personnel in an emergency Level of emergency (Temporary—Extended) Emergency Communications Evacuation Plans for each site Protection and recovery of vital election records Emergencies affecting voting precincts Increased security during emergencies Identification of critical functions Delegation of authority in an emergency Decision makers in an emergency

11. Employee responsibilities Recalling essential personnel Alternate sites Communication with county’s emergency operations center (911) Provisions for operational capability Training for departmental staff Emergency supply packs at each voting location Fire extinguishers Flashlights First aid kits

12. Share with election personnel Fire/Severe Weather/Lockdowns/Bomb Threats How polling operations would be impacted Poll workers understand alerts for each event (Intercom/Tone/Key Words, Alarms, etc.) *Plans for any after-school activities

13. Plan Ahead! Designated parking areas Handicapped access Changes in staff parking Student parking—encourage car-pooling Always try to separate parking areas for voters and staff/students Morning drop-off/arrival time School bus access School buses that park on campus during the day Afternoon dismissal time

14. Clear signage for voter parking Clear signage for voter entrances and exits Signage indicating “Not authorized for voter access” in all appropriate locations Signage to block entrances to bus, parent drop-off and pick-up points

15. Provide two-way communications capabilities for poll workers Telephones/Walkie-Talkies/Cell Phones Poll managers may also need to have area where they can make confidential calls School Bells/Tones Limit intercom announcements

16. Designate location for poll workers and voters Attempt to have specified restrooms in the immediate voting area Try to avoid workers/voters using restrooms in others areas of the school

17. Handicapped parking locations Access and exit points Ramps as needed Restroom accommodations

18. Advise students (As needed per age level) Advise staff and parents of any changes in normal operations Parking Traffic Flow No bells Security procedures Heightened awareness for staff Extra vigilant Highly visible

19. Monitoring of any security cameras Check with election officials regarding any specific cameras that may be in the voting area Provide increased presence of any school security, School Resource Officers, as well as that of school administrators

20. Review completed at each voting site Compile for district Share with local election officials Look at… Parking Security concerns Traffic flow Interaction between voters and students/staff AM/PM high traffic times Continue to look at options other than using school as voting location

21. David Colvard, Risk Control Coordinator Georgia School Boards Association dcolvard@gsba.com 770-995-4367