School Safety
Van Buren School Safety Programs
Drug Education/Prevention and School Resource Officer Programs
Secure Front Doors
Each school site has a “buzz in” system at the front door. Parents must push a button and face a camera before the front office will unlock door and allow them access into the building.
K-5 Parent Pick Up
At every K-5 building parents are assigned a car tag that is unique to their particular school. The parent, or the person picking the student up, must have the car tag displayed from the rearview mirror before the school will allow the student to leave with them. Each school will provide parents with more specific information about the procedure at the school site.
School Resource Officers
In an effort to reduce and eliminate problems facing our young people, VBSD and the Van Buren Police Department have developed a school resource officer program. The program is designed to be an effective method of dealing with drug abuse, juvenile crime and delinquency, and assistance to children that are considered to be "at risk". The three school resource officers (SRO) will serve as positive role models for students of VBSD.
The duties of the SRO involves a variety of educational activities designed to promote a safe and drug free community. The SROs will serve the entire district, but are housed in the middle schools, junior high schools, and high school offices. See list (right) of contact information for district SROs.
Drug Education and Prevention
The Substance Abuse Prevention Program for VBSD is delivered in the context of a comprehensive prevention program that encompasses school instruction and activities, parent involvement, and community support and participation. The foundation of this program is a clearly articulated and consistently enforced policy against substance abuse.
The schools use instruction and activities in a school-based approach. Each of the elementary and secondary schools has a team of specially trained teachers, counselors and administrators committed to the goal of drug-free schools. This team works with the school staff, students, and parents to provide instruction in the prevention of drug abuse.
Each of the three secondary schools has an IMPACT team composed of students who participate in student-led and school sponsored events that teach important lessons about how fulfilling life can be without drugs.
Tornado Shelters
Several of our schools have a tornado safe room available for the safety during severe weather. Please refer to this document for more information:
Sgt. Jonathan Wear *** SRO Supervisor****
SRO - Van Buren High School
Office Phone: 474-6821
OFC Shane Ridenhour
SRO - Oliver Springs Elementary
Phone: (479) 471-3120
OFC George Edelen
SRO - Butterfield Trail Middle School
Office Phone: 474-6838
OFC Stephen Lawrence
SRO - Coleman Freshman Academy
Office Phone: 471-3160
OFC Robin Kuykendall
SRO - Tate Elementary School
Office Phone: 471-3130
OFC Nick Harvey
SRO - Central Elementary-
Phone: (479) 474-7059
OFC Dave Passen
SRO - Parkview Elementary
Phone: (479) 474-8730
OFC Chase Decroo
SRO - North Ridge Middle School
Office Phone: 471-3126
OFC Andrew Shepard
SRO - Izard Center For Learning
Phone: (479) 471-3150
OFC Megan Slayton
SRO - Rena Elementary
Phone: (479) 471-3190
OFC Zach Myers
SRO - King Elementary
Phone: (479) 474-2661
Contact information
Van Buren School District
2221 Pointer Trail East
Van Buren, AR 72956
(479) 474-7942
SRO Contact Information:
