Late in the school year, preparedness often takes a quiet backseat. Attention is divided between testing, end-of-year events, staffing coverage, and the push to simply make it to summer. Teachers are burned out and may not even remember where they can find the school emergency plan, let alone his or her role in a specific incident. From a safety perspective, this is exactly when small gaps tend to surface—and when they can have outsized consequences.
Late-year readiness is fundamentally different from start-of-year planning. In August, teams are focused, staffed, and building systems from the ground up. By contrast, spring brings increased testing pressure, special events layered on top of regular schedules, and a steady rotation of substitute teachers and temporary coverage. Plans may still exist, but the conditions under which they must be used have changed.
In my assessments, the most common late-year gaps are rarely dramatic. Instead, they’re subtle and easy to overlook:
- Outdated contact lists that haven’t kept pace with staffing changes
- New or reassigned staff who were never fully oriented to emergency procedures
Emergency plans that exist—but aren’t easily accessible when time matters.
What Staff Can Do
One way schools can regain clarity quickly is through what I call a 15-minute readiness check. This isn’t a formal audit or drill — it’s a reality check:
- Can staff access emergency procedures right now, without searching?
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- Staff should be able to quickly pull up specific emergency procedures on the device they would actually use during an incident. Identify a specific scenario and ensure staff can locate and execute the emergency plan for that incident.
- Do substitutes know where to find guidance if something happens?
- Late in the school year often brings many long-term substitute teachers who were not employed during staff training at the beginning of the year. Do these teachers realistically know where to access emergency plans and how they are expected to respond during an incident?
- Are key response roles and contact points still accurate today, not just on paper?
- Retirements, maternity leaves, and other leaves of absence happen constantly throughout the year. Are the people listed in your emergency contact list still the same people who your staff would communicate with during an incident? Be sure to review any staff changes and phone numbers that may have occurred at local first responder agencies throughout the year, too.
Mobile Access Makes A Difference
Mobile access makes an immediate difference in ensuring staff always have the most up to date version of an emergency plan and contact list. Tools like the Mobile Emergency Response Plan (MERP) help schools overcome late-year challenges by ensuring:
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- Substitutes and rotating staff can instantly access plans
- There’s no reliance on office binders or shared drives that aren’t available without Wi-Fi
. - Readiness exists beyond the building and beyond specific people
That’s why I often frame MERP as a readiness tool, not just an emergency tool. It supports day-to-day continuity during one of the most unpredictable times of the year.
GOT MERP?
As you work to close out the school year, this is also an opportunity to strengthen your readiness without adding complexity. I designed the Mobile Emergency Response Plan (MERP) based on more than 30 years in education and law enforcement to give schools immediate, practical access to their emergency procedures—especially during times like this when staffing and routines are constantly shifting. Schools can take advantage of a free MERP test drive through June 30, and in most cases, it can be implemented in just days, not months. I’m also available to walk your team through a live virtual demonstration so you can easily format your MERP to include your school’s emergency plans, and how quickly it can bring clarity and confidence back to your staff.
I am offering a free test drive of the MERP through June 30 so schools can evaluate how real-time access and coordination can enhance safety and preparedness when it matters most in preparation for the 2026 – 2027 School Year.
Complete the form below to get started.
Free MERP Test Drive
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contact me at any time for a live demonstration of the MERP
