Daniel Prince
Administrators to undergo active shooter training
Director of Administration Eric Childers presented several safety updates to the board at last night’s meeting, as well. The district will be using the Raptor Emergency Alert System. Raptor Alert is a web-based app that can be installed on teachers’ personal devices. The app is used for quick identification of school threats. Once a threat is identified, it sends immediate notification to school officials, law enforcement services, EMS, and fire safety officials. Childers said use of the app by teachers will not be required but will be strongly encouraged. The app can override the silent mode of phones if an emergency situation arises. He said even if cell reception is bad, those on the school’s WiFi can still make and receive alerts, and the alerts will also go out via email, and he said they are working to get it to come to the classroom’s smart board, as well.
Childers noted that the district has submitted a proposal for the COPS Grant for preventing School Violence. They requested school door access controls and two portable metal detectors. With the access doors, keys would no longer be issued to employees for exterior entry to the school. Card access would monitor who, when, and where entry takes place. It would also alert school officials if a door is propped open, so they can investigate. Childers said the award recipients should be notified by the end of September.
Childers also noted that the district will partner with the Union County Sheriff’s Office to conduct an active shooter training with all administrators on Thursday, August 4. After the training is complete, they will go through an entire reunification walkthrough with school and district staff.