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5 things many Michigan schools miss, and don't know they're required to fix

Many physical security gaps get caught during a formal walkthrough. Fewer get caught before someone schedules that engagement. Here are five things a school can check today, no site visit required, pulled from findings that show up again and again across Michigan schools.

Propped exterior doors

  • The Gap: Exterior doors get propped open by students and staff trying to save time re-entering the building.
  • Why It Matters: A propped door bypasses whatever screening or access control is in place at the entrance. Anyone can walk in unseen, whether it's a parent running late or someone with no reason to be there.
  • Quick Self-Check: Have you checked your exterior doors for propping devices, like wedges or rocks, in the last week? 

Exterior door numbers

  • The Gap: Exterior door number decals fade over time and become hard to see from a distance.
  • Why It Matters: First responders rely on visible door numbers to find the fastest entry point during an emergency. Faded or low-contrast numbers cost time exactly when seconds count.
  • Quick Self-Check: Have you walked your building's exterior recently to confirm every door number is still clearly visible?

OK2SAY contact updates

  • The Gap: Schools must keep a current contact on file with OK2SAY, Michigan's confidential school safety tip line.
  • Why It Matters: When that contact is out of date, the OK2SAY Technician Desk can't quickly reach your school with a student safety concern. Michigan law (MCL 752.913) requires this contact be updated at least twice a year.
  • Quick Self-Check: Has your school confirmed its OK2SAY contact with MSP within the last six months? 

Fire and emergency drill reporting

  • The Gap: Schools often forget to report their fire and emergency drill schedule to the county.
  • Why It Matters: Michigan law (MCL 29.19) requires schools to submit their full drill schedule to the county emergency management office by September 15 each year. It's an easy, avoidable compliance miss.
  • Quick Self-Check: Has your school submitted this year's drill schedule to your county emergency management office?

Suicide prevention hotline signage

  • The Gap: Suicide prevention hotline information often gets removed during routine office cleanups and never replaced.
  • Why It Matters: Michigan schools serving grades 6 through 12 are encouraged by state statute to post this information in counseling and administrative offices, and on their website. Postings quietly disappear over time without anyone noticing.
  • Quick Self-Check: Is suicide prevention hotline information currently posted in your counseling office and on your website? 
Propped exterior doorsThe Gap: Exterior doors get propped open by students and staff trying to save time re-entering the building.Why It Matters: A propped door bypasses whatever screening or access control is in place at the entrance. Anyone can walk in unseen, whether it's a parent running late or someone with no reason to be there.Quick Self-Check: Have you checked your exterior doors for propping devices, like wedges or rocks, in the last week? Exterior door numbersThe Gap: Exterior door number decals fade over time and become hard to see from a distance.Why It Matters: First responders rely on visible door numbers to find the fastest entry point during an emergency. Faded or low-contrast numbers cost time exactly when seconds count.Quick Self-Check: Have you walked your building's exterior recently to confirm every door number is still clearly visible?OK2SAY contact updatesThe Gap: Schools must keep a current contact on file with OK2SAY, Michigan's confidential school safety tip line.Why It Matters: When that contact is out of date, the OK2SAY Technician Desk can't quickly reach your school with a student safety concern. Michigan law (MCL 752.913) requires this contact be updated at least twice a year.Quick Self-Check: Has your school confirmed its OK2SAY contact with MSP within the last six months? Fire and emergency drill reportingThe Gap: Schools often forget to report their fire and emergency drill schedule to the county.Why It Matters: Michigan law (MCL 29.19) requires schools to submit their full drill schedule to the county emergency management office by September 15 each year. It's an easy, avoidable compliance miss.Quick Self-Check: Has your school submitted this year's drill schedule to your county emergency management office?Suicide prevention hotline signageThe Gap: Suicide prevention hotline information often gets removed during routine office cleanups and never replaced.Why It Matters: Michigan schools serving grades 6 through 12 are encouraged by state statute to post this information in counseling and administrative offices, and on their website. Postings quietly disappear over time without anyone noticing.Quick Self-Check: Is suicide prevention hotline information currently posted in your counseling office and on your website?