Annual School Safety Overview
September 2026
Milford Schools Annual Safety Overview
Keeping our students and staff safe is a shared commitment at Milford Schools. This annual overview highlights the safety plans, procedures, and resources in place for the 2026–2027 school year, including emergency communication, school safety drills, and tools for reporting concerns. We encourage families to review this information and join us in supporting safe, welcoming learning environments for all students.
Safety Planning & Emergency Preparedness
Emergency Communication
If an emergency occurs, our district will communicate important information to you as soon as it is safe and appropriate to do so. Communication in a crisis is vital, and we ask that you rely on the district as your primary source of verified information. Sharing misinformation or speculation can pose safety risks to students, staff, and emergency personnel during a crisis. In all situations, the safety of our students is our highest priority. We will share updates and instructions through our direct messaging system, School Messenger via email, phone call and text message. It is critical that parents wait for official communication and instructions from the district before attempting to pick up their children.
To help ensure families receive urgent notifications, the district will conduct an annual test of its phone call, text message, and email systems during the first quarter of each school year.
Safety Plans
Milford Exempted Village Schools reviews and certifies its safety plans each year as part of Ohio’s required school safety planning process. All building plans have been reviewed and were rated compliant. Requirements established under the Ohio Revised Code and Ohio Administrative Code include:
- Submitting an Emergency Management Plan (EMP) to the Ohio School Safety Center for review every three years.
- Completing an Annual Plan Certification between January 1st and September 1st each year.
- Completing an Emergency Management Test (EMT) between September 1st and August 31st each year.
The safety plans detail the actions our district will take, and protocols we will follow, when faced with a threat or hazard. Every emergency situation and response is unique, so the information provided in this document is not all inclusive. However, it is intended to provide an understanding of Milford Exempted Village Schools’ response to a crisis or emergency.
When an emergency occurs, school officials evaluate the seriousness of the situation and determine the best plan of action to respond quickly, safely and appropriately. Emergency responders, such as police, fire, and medical teams, are notified and provide assistance.
Regular Safety Drills
School Resource Officers
Reporting Safety Concerns
Reporting Student Safety Concerns & Bullying
The Stay Safe. Speak Up! program is an anonymous reporting system used by many Ohio school districts to allow students and parents to report safety concerns (like bullying or threats) to building officials. At the building level, school administrators receive immediate notifications and investigate the claims while maintaining strict confidentiality.
Users can submit tips 24/7 via the Stay Safe. Speak Up! mobile app, an online form on the school's website, or by calling the toll-free hotline at 1-866-547-8362. Tips can also be directed to the state-level Safer Ohio School Tip Line at 1-844-723-3764.
Multi-Tiered System of Support
Milford Exempted Village Schools has implemented a Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) that includes prevention and intervention programs designed to meet students' social-emotional needs.
Tier 1: Universal Prevention
At the foundational level, all students receive core instruction in social-emotional learning (SEL) aligned to state or district standards. This includes social-emotional learning, school-wide practices such as positive behavior supports, character education, and consistent expectations. Universal prevention also includes education around risk topics such as bullying, substance use, and suicide awareness, along with a school climate that promotes belonging and connectedness.
Tier 2: Targeted Intervention
Students who need more than universal instruction receive targeted, often small-group interventions with parental permission. These may address specific skill gaps in emotion regulation, social skills, or coping strategies. Progress is monitored to determine whether students are responding to the intervention or need more intensive support.
Tier 3: Intensive, Individualized Support
For students with more significant or persistent needs, MTSS provides individualized interventions, which may include one-on-one counseling, behavior support plans, or coordinated care involving parents and mental health professionals.
Security Measures & Systems
Centegix
The district implemented the CENTEGIX CrisisAlert system during the 2025–2026 school year as an additional layer of safety for students and staff.
This badge-based alert system allows staff to quickly report emergencies, request medical assistance and initiate lockdown alerts. The system provides responders with precise location information to help them locate the person requesting assistance and respond more quickly. Having this technology readily accessible helps staff call for support when seconds matter.
Visitor Management System
Technology
Milford Schools uses technology to support a safe, positive and productive learning environment. This includes internet filtering and automated safety tools that help limit access to inappropriate content and identify potential concerns involving student safety and well-being. We also provide guidance on the responsible use of artificial intelligence (AI) to support learning while upholding academic integrity and protecting student privacy.
When a safety alert is generated, designated district personnel review the content and context to determine whether support or further action is needed. If a concern warrants an emergency response, parents and/or local law enforcement will be contacted. Our goal is to connect students with support and encourage safe, responsible use of technology.
Gaggle
Gaggle is a student safety tool that helps Milford Schools identify potential concerns involving self-harm, substance abuse, threats of violence and other harmful situations. It alerts designated school personnel so they can review the concern and determine whether support or further action is needed.
Gaggle works within Milford’s school-managed technology environment. Students and families should avoid syncing personal accounts or content with school-issued Chromebooks or a student’s Milford Google account, as personal content synced to that account may become subject to review through Gaggle.
Milford’s partnership with Gaggle focuses on three priorities:
- Supporting student mental health and well-being.
- Averting violence.
- Preventing and addressing cyberbullying.
Securly
Milford Exempted Village School District utilizes an Internet content filter that is in compliance with the federally mandated Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA). The district uses Securly filtering, which is active when students are logged into their school account. Any attempt to bypass these filters or access inappropriate content would violate the Milford Exempted Village School District Acceptable Use Policy.
Securly Classroom is a device management tool used by teachers while students are at school to help guide lessons, monitor student progress, and keep the focus on learning.
Artificial Intelligence
In Milford, we view artificial intelligence (AI) as a tool to support thinking, learning and innovation. In alignment with our district’s adopted policy, we are committed to helping students and staff understand AI and use it responsibly.
Responsible use of AI is permitted within the guidelines and restrictions outlined in the Milford Schools handbook and the district’s AI policy.
Our goal is to support inquiry and efficiency while upholding academic integrity, human accountability and data privacy.