Buildings & Grounds

West St. Paul-Mendota Heights-Eagan Area Schools ( School District 197) takes safety very seriously and we work diligently to ensure we provide safe and healthy learning and working environments for all of our students and staff. In 2017, Minnesota passed legislation (Section 121A.335) requiring public school districts and charter schools to test for the presence of lead in water. 

As required by the statutes, on June 18, 2018, School District 197 adopted the model plan from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and Minnesota Department of Education (MDE). It is based on standards established by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and current MDH guidance. 

In accordance with this plan:

• Each school building will be tested at least once every five years. 
• Test results will be made available to the public for review on this webpage.
• Parents and guardians will be informed of the availability of the test results. This will happen annually through the Family Handbook, which is mailed to all families and published on the district website.

Prior to the 2017 state legislation, School District 197 tested for lead in water and addressed any issues at the school buildings for the past several years, based on existing MDH recommendations. If you have any questions about lead testing in School District 197, please contact our facilities manager/health and safety at 651-403-7325. 

2023 Results

2018 Results 

• Branch Out 
• District Office
• Early Learning
• Garlough
• Friendly Hills
• Two Rivers
• Heritage
• Mendota
• Moreland (2020 Resampling)
• Pilot Knob
• Somerset
• Transportation

During 2018-2019 school year,  School District 197 began voluntarily testing for radon in all schools and buildings. Currently, there is no requirement for school districts in Minnesota to test for radon.

Radon is a naturally occurring gas that is produced below ground. It is very common throughout Minnesota. Radon is invisible, odorless, and released into the ambient air from fissures in subgrade rocks beneath the soil. With the assistance of an environmental consulting firm, testing was completed in November 2018 following the MDH’s best practices for Radon Measurement in Minnesota Schools.

If you have any questions about radon testing in School District 197, please contact our facilities manager/health and safety at 651-403-7325.

2023 Results

2018 Results

• Branch Out
• District Office 
• Early Learning
• Friendly Hills
• Garlough
• Two Rivers
• Heritage
• Mendota 
• Moreland 
• Pilot Knob
• Somerset (Somerset Gym)
• Transportation

West St. Paul-Mendota Heights-Eagan Area Schools (School District 197) takes school safety very seriously. We partner with local law enforcement to understand best practices for school safety and collaborate on emergency plans. We also train staff, practice safety drills with students, and look for ways increase security in our buildings. Our policies and procedures meet and, in some cases, exceed state requirements regarding crisis management and safety.

BUILDING SECURITY (Pre-K through Grade 12)
With funding from a voter-approved bond, our schools’ main entryways were redesigned during the 2015-16 school year to help staff better manage and limit access to our buildings. The change also ensures visitors see a welcoming face as soon as they enter a building.

During the school day, all exterior doors to each building are locked and ALL visitors (e.g., parents, guardians, short-term substitute teachers, volunteers, contractors, vendors) MUST enter and exit through a school building's main office/entrance and complete the check-in or check-out process.

Additional security measures in school buildings include security cameras, lockdown buttons that close doors throughout the building and secure areas of a school, and door mechanisms that allow teachers to quickly lock their classroom doors in the event of an emergency.

EMERGENCY PLANS
School District 197, in collaboration with local law enforcement, has developed extensive emergency plans to respond to different natural and man-made crises. All of the plans are stored in the Rapid Responder Emergency Preparedness and Crisis Management System and can be quickly accessed by district staff and administrators, as well as first responders, the fire department, and the police.

Every year, our students and staff take part in five lockdown drills, five fire drills, and two tornado drills.

To prepare for the possibility of weather events, fires, accidents, intruders and other threats to personal safety, the district has partnered with the “I Love U Guys” Foundation, using its Standard Response Protocol (SRP) programs for crisis response and post-crisis reunification. The SRP is action-based, flexible, and easy to learn. It is reviewed annually by both staff and students, with additional training and drills using a leadership team of school administrators, counselors, public space safety experts, and first responders.

PARENT/GUARDIAN EMERGENCY NOTIFICATION
In the event of an emergency, families would be alerted through the parent notification system and information would be posted on the district and school websites. Students and parents should be sure to keep emergency contact information updated with their school office.

TWO RIVERS HIGH SCHOOL
School District 197, through the West St. Paul Police Department, employs a full-time school resource officer (SRO) at Two Rivers High School. The liaison officer is a resource to students, parents and staff and can be contacted (non-emergency) at 651-403-7212 or Luke.forster@isd197.org. If there is an emergency, please call 911.

Two Rivers High School also maintains an anonymous and confidential school tip line to keep students and the school safe. Tips can be submitted anonymously by calling 651-403-7396.