After five bomb threats in the Des Moines public schools last week, local school districts are trying their best to prepare for similar situations.

“We all have a heightened sense of security and awareness from last year’s experiences [in Ames],” said Cindy Yellick, principal of Mitchell Elementary School, 3521 Jewell Drive.

Ames High received several bomb threats near the end of the spring semester.

Lori Morrissey, Story County Emergency Management coordinator, emphasized the need to prepare for all hazards.

About 40 people from Story County have participated in a safety program sponsored by the Federal Emergency Management Agency dealing with multiple hazards schools may encounter.

Morrissey said they have supported the program for about two years.

Morrissey’s job deals with any type of violence that may affect schools.

“We work very strongly with all emergency planning aspects,” she said. “We try to make available to schools various videos dealing with the different topics.”

Nevada Community Schools also have taken numerous precautions due to the threats that are becoming more common both locally and nationwide.

“We have taken precautions more to do with controlling access into the building,” said Harold Hulleman, superintendent of the Nevada school district.

“Currently, at the middle school and high school, we only have one door unlocked during the day, and all visitors are immediately directed to the office,” he said.

Ames High School, 1921 Ames High Drive, also has instituted similar measures to beef up security.

Ames High’s new security features include keeping only the front door open for entrance to the building, requiring visitors to check in and supplying staff members with computerized cards to enter the building after hours, said Chuck Achter, AHS principal, in a previous Daily interview.

Hulleman also said they have developed plans for evacuating if they do encounter a bomb threat by meeting with both the police and fire chiefs.

The Nevada district had one bomb threat last year, he said.

Hulleman said he believes the relationships between faculty, employees and students are more important than practicing evacuation drills and other precautionary measures.

“We are trying to focus on treating people with dignity and respect — that is where the problem starts,” he said.