Safety
Safety & Security at Lebanon R-III
The safety and well-being of our students and staff are our highest priorities. Our Safety, Security & Emergency Services Department is dedicated to providing safe learning environments through proactive planning, training, and response. From emergency preparedness and crisis management to daily security measures, our team works closely with district staff, local agencies, and families to ensure our schools remain secure and welcoming places for learning.
Jason Riggs
Director of School Safety
Phone Number: (417) 657-6934
Office is located at Lebanon High School
Oversees Entire District
Officer Chris Nelson
School Resource Officer
Phone Number: (417) 657-6643
Oversees: Lebanon High School, Hillcrest Education Center, and Esther Elementary
Officer Jennifer Janko
School Resource Officer
Phone Number: (417) 657-6531
Oversees: Lebanon Middle School, Maplecrest Elementary, Boswell Elementary, and the Early Childhood Center
Important Information
Meet Our Officers
Jason Riggs - Director of School Safety
Assignment: Office located at Lebanon High School, oversees safety of entire district
Phone: (417) 657-6934
Jason Riggs retired as a Master Sergeant after 27 years of service with the Missouri State Highway Patrol. Throughout his career, he held key assignments in the Traffic Division (Troop I Region) and the Governor’s Security Division, where he served as the lead defense tactics instructor and a firearms instructor for both. He also contributed to training new recruits at the Patrol Academy in defense tactics.
In addition to these roles, Jason was a member of the SWAT team, a hostage negotiator, a firearms instructor, an active shooter instructor, emergency medical response/Tactical Combat Casualty Care instructor and an executive protection instructor. He is also a graduate of the Patrol’s Police Instructor School.
Currently, Jason is the Director of School Safety for the Lebanon R-3 School District, where he remains committed to protecting students, staff, and the broader school community. His responsibilities include overseeing district-wide security, coordinating the Behavioral Threat Assessment Team, serving as an Armed School Intruder Response (ASIR) instructor, a Bus Driver Safety & Intruder Response Instructor and leading safety and risk assessments across the district.
Jason holds multiple professional certifications, including P.O.S.T. certified instructor, active shooter instructor, defense tactics instructor and a de-escalation instructor. He also holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Missouri Western State University.
Officer Jennifer Janko - School Resource Officer
Assignment: Lebanon Middle School, Maplecrest Elementary, Boswell Elementary, and the Early Childhood Center
Phone: (417) 657-6531
Officer Janko has served in law enforcement for 22 years and brings a wide range of experience to Lebanon R-3 Schools. Her background includes crash investigation, traffic control and enforcement, and community policing. Since 2014, she has also been an instructor for the Missouri Sheriffs Association Training Academy.
She joined the Lebanon Police Department in 2015 and has served as a School Resource Officer since 2017, where she also fulfills the role of DARE officer. Her dedication to student safety and community engagement continues to make a lasting impact on Lebanon Schools.
Officer Chris Nelson School Resource Officer
Assignment: Lebanon High School, Hillcrest Education Center, and Esther Elementary
Phone: (4417) 657-6643
Officer Nelson is a Lebanon Schools graduate who has served with the Lebanon Police Department since 2022 and the Missouri Army National Guard since 2012. In his role as School Resource Officer, he provides security and emergency response while also engaging with students, participating in school events, and working with staff to promote safety education and positive decision-making.
We are grateful for Officer Nelson’s commitment to student safety and the positive impact he makes across our schools.
Lockdown Information
Our top priority at Lebanon School District is to keep our students and staff safe. Though we hope it never happens, in the event of lockdown or other emergencies, we have thorough plans in place to keep all students and staff safe. Please familiarize yourself with these plans and procedures.
Taking Action in Emergency
Our school has adopted The “I Love U Guys” Foundation’s Standard Response Protocol (SRP). Students and staff will be training, practicing, and drilling the protocol.
COMMON LANGUAGE: The Standard Response Protocol (SRP) is based on an all-hazards approach as opposed to individual scenarios. Like the Incident Command System (ICS), SRP utilizes clear common language while allowing for flexibility in protocol. The premise is simple - there are five specific actions that can be performed during an incident. When communicating these, the action is labeled with a “Term of Art” and is then followed by a “Directive.” Execution of the action is performed by active participants, including students, staff, teachers and first responders. The SRP is based on the following actions: Hold, Secure, Lockdown, Evacuate, and Shelter.
HOLD!
SECURE
LOCKDOWN
LOCKDOWN
“Locks, Lights, Out of Sight”
Students are trained to:
- Move away from sight
- Maintain silence
- Do not open the door
Adults and staff are trained to:
- Recover students from hallway if possible
- Lock the classroom door
- Turn out the lights
- Move away from sight
- Maintain silence
- Do not open the door
- Prepare to evade or defend
EVACUATE
EVACUATE
“To a Location”
Students are trained to:
- Leave stuff behind if required to
- If possible, bring their phone
- Follow instructions
Adults and staff are trained to:
- Bring roll sheet and Go Bag (unless instructed not to bring anything with them, dependent on reason for evacuation.)
- Lead students to Evacuation location
- Account for students and adults
- Report injuries or problems using Red Card/Green Card method.
SHELTER
SHELTER
“State Hazard and Safety Strategy”
Hazards might include:
- Tornado
- Hazmat
- Earthquake
- Tsunami Safety
Strategies might include:
- Evacuate to shelter area
- Seal the room
- Drop, cover and hold
- Get to high ground
Students are trained in:
- Appropriate Hazards and Safety Strategies
Adults and staff are trained in:
- Appropriate Hazards and Safety Strategies
- Accounting for students and adults
- Report injuries or problems using Red Card/Green Card Method
For Parents
BEFORE a School Emergency
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Ensure emergency contact info is accurate and current.
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Become familiar with school/district web and social media sites where emergency info is posted, and other communication channels (e.g. mass notification, SMS text, etc.)
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Talk with your child about the importance of following school procedures in the event of an emergency.
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Emphasize that cell phones should not be used during an emergency unless directed to do so by a teacher/adult.
DURING a School Emergency
- Trust that school is FIRST doing what is needed to protect students; communication will follow.
- Remain calm; monitor information sources
- Natural instinct to want to rush to child’s school. Please DO NOT. Phone lines, staff and roads are needed for emergency response. Parents will not be allowed on campus.
- Do not phone or text child. Sound, vibration or conversation could put students in danger. Students need to be paying attention to instructions from trained staff.
AFTER a School Emergency
- Parents and guardians will be directed to child’s specific location for parent reunification.
- Parent Reunification Plan: Students will ONLY be released to parents/guardians, or other pre-designated persons identified on emergency contacts. Reunification process is time consuming. Please be patient.
- Listen to and acknowledge child’s concerns. Provide reassurance child is safe and additional prevention efforts are being put in place.
- Seek help from school or mental health professionals if concerns persist.
School Safety Overview
School safety is an important topic and is our top priority at Lebanon School District. We have very strict procedures and policies in place to ensure all of our students and staff members are safe and secure while at school.
Here is a checklist of measures in place to keep students and staff safe:
- The District employs two school police officers and a Director of School Safety, Jason Riggs
- The District has a school tip line for school-related situations
- Every school has a secure entry and visitor check-in procedure that includes identification badges for guests
- All schools have comprehensive emergency management plans
- Each school participates in quarterly emergency drills for intruders, tornadoes and fire
- School and community police officers regularly visit the school
LR3 Tipline
Please utilize the Courage2Report tip line for school related situations. If this is an emergency, call 911.
If you see something, say something. Lebanon R-III Schools partners with Courage2Report to provide a safe, confidential way for students, families, staff, and community members to report concerns at any time. Whether it involves bullying, threats, safety issues, or anything that makes you feel uneasy, Courage2Report ensures your information is sent quickly to the appropriate authorities so action can be taken. Your voice helps keep our schools safe.
By clicking “Submit” you confirm the information provided is true and accurate to the best of your knowledge.