The Wayland Board of Education is considering hiring Thomas Mynesberge of Critical Incident Management Inc. to provide training for administrators and Staff in emergency protocols and response.

Security Officer Matt Miller recently recommended the school board consider Critical Incident Management to evaluate district facilities for physical security and management of potential critical incidents.

Mynesberge, who developed the Critical Incident Management Program has been providing services to schools and intermediate school districts since 2001 when he retired from the Michigan State Police. He has 27 years of experience, including training as a SWAT team member, hazardous materials and explosives response training with professional training through the State Police Fire Marshal.

His fee would be $2 per student, which would amount to about $5,900 in cost to Wayland Union Schools. Allegan County Emergency Management Director Scott Corbin has indicated a program exists county-wide, but local officials are interested in the specific training as well.

“The bottom line is the safety and security of our students,” Superintendent Norm Taylor said. “I’ve checked his references and he’s led the charge in this field… He’s very experienced, he’s researched everything… He teaches a system to help make us safe.”

The board is expected to take up the issue at its meeting next month.