The safety and well-being of students, staff, and visitors remain the highest priority for Deming Public Schools, district officials said in a news release this week. Preparedness, safety drillsPreparedness is one of the most effective ways to ensure schools are ready to respond during emergencies, district officials said. “Throughout the school year, Deming Public Schools will conduct a variety of required safety drills that allow students, staff, first responders and community partners to practice emergency procedures and continuously improve district safety plans,” the spokesman said in the release. According to the release, district policy requires each school to complete a minimum of 17 safety drills annually, including 11 fire drills, two shelter-in-place drills, two lockdown drills and two evacuation drills. New weapons detection systemAs another layer of campus security, Deming Public Schools officials said the district will begin utilizing the CEIA OPENGATE Weapons Detection System this year at its intermediate, middle and high schools.