The South Whidbey School District is doing its part to take steps toward preparation in the case of a natural disaster.

The school board approved a draft plan at the Oct. 26 meeting to take part in a disaster preparedness program with the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction to create a plan to minimize hazards. The program is part of the first statewide K-12 Facilities Hazard Mitigation Plan, which pertains to actions that can be taken to reduce risks from natural disasters.

District officials have decided to submit the approved plan to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for funding that would be utilized to improve school buildings.

A committee of staff, community members, administrators and a board member have been working with the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction to devise the plan since 2013.