Prior to school starting, Ekalaka Public Schools certified and classified staff underwent an active shooter training. The training was put on by Gordon Hahn, a retired Montana superintendent and teacher who resides in Saco. Over the last few years, Hahn has put on the training at several schools throughout the state.

Much of the training was focused on changing old concepts. In the past, trainings mostly taught employees a "lockdown and hide" method. Hahn showed grave statistics of how the concept hasn't really worked in the past, noting tragedies such as the school shootings at Sandy Hook,...