DISTRICT FACILITIES AND SCHOOL SAFETY

Healthy water is important to everyone and especially for children as they are still growing and learning. All children need access to healthy water. Michigan’s children spend a significant portion of their day in school or childcare facilities and therefore quality drinking water in these facilities is critical to a child’s overall health, development, and performance.

Many schools and childcare facilities receive their water from a public water system. The water going into these facilities must meet State of Michigan requirements for drinking water. However, outdated plumbing within the school or childcare facility may allow unhealthy contaminants, like lead, into the water.

The School Drinking Water Program, within the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), works with schools and childcare facilities to monitor water quality. 

Charlotte Pubilc Schools is proud to share that we adhere to the EGLE guidance and regular testing of our water supply to ensure that we maintain safe drinking water for our children, staff and guests.

MDE EGLE FAQ For Parents

2026 EGLE Annual School Certifications

• Weymouth Child Development Center
• Galewood Early Elementary School
• Parkview Elementary School
• Washington Elementary School
• Charlotte Upper Elementary School
• Charlotte Middle School
• Charlotte High School
• Charlotte Project Success

In an emergency, seconds count - and one of the best ways to keep students, staff, and school guests safe is to understand what to do. Charlotte Public Schools has has adopted The “I Love U Guys” Foundation’s Standard Response Protocol (SRP). This protocol is the same language used by the Michigan State Police and other first responder agencies, which helps these agencies easily understand what’s happening in our buildings during an incident. Students and staff train, practice, and conduct drills using this protocol.

The 5 modes:

• Hold!
• Secure!
• Lockdown!
• Evacuate!
• Shelter!

Important Information for Parents and Guardians

Emergency School Safety Drill Information

Michigan Public Act 12 of 2014, also known as the School Safety Drill Act, outlines the frequency and number of mandatory school safety drills in Michigan.

Under the requirements, any K-12 school must conduct the following drills annually:

• Five fire drills per school year with a reasonable interval between each drill. Three must be completed by December 1.
• Two tornado drills per school year. At least one must be completed during the month of March.
• Three lockdown/shelter-in-place drills, where occupants are restricted to the interior of the building. At least one drill must be completed by December 1, and another must be completed after January 1. At least one drill is required to be conducted during lunch, recess, or at another time when a significant number of students are gathered but not in the classroom.

The act also requires school officials to document completed safety drills on the school's website within five days of completing the drill and maintain this information on the website for at least three years. 

School Safety Drills 2026-2027 (as of 9.29.2026)

School Safety Drills 2025-2026

School Safety Drills 2024-2025 

School Resource Officers

Charlotte Public Schools is proud to partner with the City of Charlotte Police Department to host one school resource officer in our schools. While the officer is primarily stationed at Charlotte High School, they also visit our other schools to provide support, assistance, and programming.

What is a School Resource Officer (SRO)?
According to the National Association of School Resource Officers, an SRO is “a law enforcement officer with sworn authority who is deployed by their employing police department or agency in a community-oriented assignment to work in one or more schools”. SROs also receive additional special training before working in their schools.

Job Duties of a School Resource Officer
Most often, SROs take on a mentoring role with their students: serving as a positive role model, fostering positive relationships between youth and police, helping with problem-solving, and providing a safe and supportive environment. However, as licensed law enforcement officers, SROs have the training and authority to act and protect students and staff in emergency situations.

Safe Storage Resources from the State of Michigan

In accordance with Michigan’s “Safe Storage Laws,” MCL 28.429, MCL 380.1313a, and MCL 380.1313b, all school districts in Michigan are required to share important information with parents and caregivers regarding the safe storage of firearms.

Safe firearm storage is a critical step in preventing accidents, injuries, and tragedies. By securely storing firearms and ammunition, families can help keep children and communities safe. We encourage every household to review these resources carefully and take proactive steps to protect the young people in our lives.

You can learn more about Michigan’s Safe Storage Law via the graphics and resources linked below:

What is the secure storage law in Michigan?

Safe Storage Notice

Additional resources and information are available on the Michigan Department of Education’s Safe Storage Law webpage.