Harvard Community Unit School District 50 hosted a regional safety reunification training on Jan. 5 presented by the I Love U Guys Foundation. The event brought together neighboring McHenry County school districts and emergency response partners as part of the district's proactive approach to enhancing student safety and supporting community preparedness.
The reunification training was the latest step in Harvard’s safety initiatives, which include adding a dedicated safety director, implementing integrated emergency management systems, strengthening physical security, and partnering in a countywide mutual aid agreement.
School safety is more than cameras and locked doors. It includes prevention, preparedness, response and recovery. The district’s approach focuses on people as much as facilities.
Justin Leibach joined District 50 as Director of Safety and Security earlier this year, bringing more than 18 years of public safety experience in McHenry County. His background includes 10 years in the Fire Service and 11 years of management in a Regional 911 Communications Center, along with degrees in Fire Science and Emergency Medical Services and extensive public safety leadership training certificates and licenses.
“Safety is the foundation everything else is built on,” said Superintendent Dr. Brandon C. White. “If students don't feel safe, they can't learn. If teachers don't feel secure, they can't do their best work. These investments in people, technology, training, and partnerships ensure our schools remain places where education goes uninterrupted. That's what our community expects from us, and it’s our responsibility to deliver it.”
The training focused on the Standard Reunification Method (SRM), a nationally recognized protocol that guides schools through the process of reuniting students with parents or guardians during emergencies such as weather events, power outages, or crises. Developed by the I Love U Guys Foundation, in collaboration with parents and professionals who experienced school crises firsthand, SRM emphasizes controlled release so students are safely reunited with their authorized families in the event of an evacuation or emergency.
Several states have adopted the SRM as recommended best practice over the past several years, and Illinois joined those efforts in 2025. The training will include both classroom instruction and hands-on practice, allowing police, fire, emergency management personnel, and school staff from across the region to work through the reunification process together.
“Public safety requires an all-hands-on-deck approach that doesn't change in our schools,” said Leibach. “It is the responsibility of everyone - emergency responders, school staff, students, and parents alike. Safety is a quickly evolving field, which is why we're investing in training, technology, and partnerships that keep our district prepared and our students focused on learning.”
District 50’s safety investments position it as a leader in regional collaboration. The district participated in establishing the McAid Alliance, a mutual aid agreement among McHenry County school districts modeled after frameworks police and fire departments have used for years. During a crisis at one school, the agreement allows districts to share resources such as buses, mental health supports, nursing staff, technology equipment, interpreters, reunification-trained staff, special education supports, and administrators.
“Having the opportunity to be on the forefront of pre-built mutual aid response plans for schools is an exciting initiative not only for Harvard, but all communities in McHenry County," Leibach said. "Having the full support of our emergency management, police, and fire leaders has been crucial in moving this idea forward. This is only the beginning of something very special.”
The district has implemented multiple layers of safety and security enhancements this school year. In August, District 50 introduced the Raptor Emergency Management platform across all buildings. The system creates a single point of activation and control for emergency response, connecting visitor screening, alert systems, and communication tools with existing security infrastructure like cameras, alarms, door locks, and emergency lights throughout the district. Safety additions also include new ZOLL G5 Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) in district buildings. The AEDs feature English-to-Spanish translation and are portable for field trips and off-site activities. The district installed new digital radio infrastructure with emergency channels for districtwide communication. McAid Alliance partners are also working to connect their radio systems so districts can communicate during regional emergencies.
Building security upgrades are ongoing and include additional cameras across the district, replaced doors and locks, and new door lock procedures during instruction and after hours. A comprehensive LED lighting upgrade project, completed through a partnership with ComEd's Energy Efficiency Program, enhanced visibility and safety in gymnasiums, cafeterias, and other high-traffic areas across all five buildings while generating significant energy cost savings.
All District 50 staff members have received training in both the Standard Response Protocol and SRM, with local public safety partners and other key stakeholders participating in training sessions. This summer, administrators will participate in a grant-funded Active Shooter Incident Management and School Safety and Violent Event Incident Management training offered by the Illinois Fire Service Institute in conjunction with Harvard Police Department, Harvard Fire Department, Marengo Police Department and Marengo Fire Department, and the Woodstock Police Department.
The district has also hosted community learning sessions where parents and community members can engage with the safety director about the new enhancements, ask questions, and learn about steps the district is taking to keep students safe. These conversations help families understand what to expect in the event of an emergency, what schools will do, and how parents can help keep reunification organized and safe.
The district will continue building on these safety investments as part of its commitment to protecting students and staff.