Elk City Public Schools Enhances Safety with District-Wide Emergency Protocol
21 October 2026
Oklahoma district expands collaboration with first responders, installs new weather monitoring
ELK CITY, Okla. (Oct. 2023)—Elk City Public Schools has announced the district-wide implementation of the Standard Response Protocol (SRP) to enhance campus safety and emergency preparedness. The move follows the district's September 2023 installation of a Perry Weather system, described as the most sophisticated in the state, with a lightning monitor that triggers a 30-minute safety countdown when hazards are spotted.
Developed by the nonprofit "I Love U Guys" Foundation, the SRP provides a plain-language framework for communicating during an emergency. It outlines actions for teachers, staff, students, and regional first responders to follow. Under the five-point plan, correlating with five specific colors, Elk City Public Schools can issue calls to Hold, Secure, Lockdown, Evacuate, or Shelter.
Beckham County sheriff's deputies, Oklahoma State Troopers, and detectives from the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) have all been invited to train alongside Elk City Public Schools staff. In a joint statement, Elk City Police Chief Carla Mooney and Sheriff Aaron Dodd said, "local law enforcement will be full partners in planning for and responding to any campus emergency."
These measures are just the latest phase in a district-wide safety push. Last year, Elk City Public Schools installed a Perry Weather system at Big Elk stadium. Built by Perry Weather of Austin, Texas, the system combines localized weather information, lightning detection, travel monitoring, and instant access to live meteorologists. "Whoever thought to keep their weather station right in the stadium was comically suited to our needs," Superintendent Mike Sparks said of the installation, first reported by The Penny News in September 2023.
The district said the system can monitor up to 50 school trips at once. It also measures wet-bulb globe temperature to put a precise number on heat safety, potentially helping Elk City Public Schools comply with Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association (OSSAA) guidelines.
The Perry Weather system also allows for precise tracking of severe weather. It triggers a 30-minute countdown with an audience warning when lightning is detected within 10 miles, providing an extra measure of safety during outdoor events.
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During late-summer renovations, the Big Elk Stadium Astroturf field was scheduled for resurfacing, and the old press box demolished. The new press box was funded with local donations, including a $25,000 gift from the OK LAHMA Car Club, and showcases local craftsmanship. As Superintendent Mike Sparks said, "Thanks to our great teachers, electricians, plumbers, and local tradesmen, this new build project was almost entirely local except for the bricks."
Mike Sparks says the press box was only one part of an ongoing safety push across the district.
"All of this is just part of ongoing improvements to school safety," he said when asked via email about the recent safety upgrades. "It's not just about keeping a lid on the stadium. It's about keeping an eye on field trips, being ready for storms, and overall emergency preparedness."
"The district's approach is best summed up by the words SCAN for passing," Sparks said in a September 2023 statement, alluding to the SRP acronym. "See, Communicate, Act, and Notify. That's our approach to safety."
The SRP teaches both adults and kids how to define what to do during emergencies and how to communicate those actions with clarity. When the call goes out to Secure, Hold, Lockdown, Evacuate, or Shelter, everyone will understand their role. Students and staff will rehearse and drill on the protocols throughout the year.
The new protocol shows students that the Elk City School District believes in its staff, the local community, and the first responders who stand ready to keep their families safe.