How central Ohio school districts are investing in technology to address safety concerns

COLUMBUS, Ohio ( WCMH ) – Central Ohio school districts have implemented a variety of safety measures to protect students from potential threats, many of which involve updated technology.

School safety concerns are frequent; the Gun Violence Archive lists 135 school-related incidents in the U.S. in September of this year alone. Some local districts are taking additional steps to keep schools safe.

New Albany-Plain recently implemented Centegix CrisisAlert, a wearable device that allows all staff members to request help with the push of a button. Ohio School Public Relations Association President Patrick Gallaway said the system is well worth the approximately $50,000 annual cost to keep kids safe.

“We are in our first year of implementation and just wrapping up the testing phase,” Gallaway said. “We have been using the system though and it is going to be a great tool when we have a situation on campus. That could range from a student getting hurt on the playground to a student or staff member that may be sick to the other extreme of an active shooter or someone trying to come on to campus.”

Gallaway said each staff member wears a badge, which can be pressed a certain number of times for minor concerns where someone needs assistance. For large situations, staff should press the button a different number of times. Gallaway said the system is also connected to law enforcement for a quick response.

Westerville schools introduced the Raptor Emergency Management system in 2022, a similar centralized software accessible on phones and computers. Melanie Amato, executive director of communications and community engagement, said every district school uses the system in monthly drills and they have tracked success in the program.

“Many schools have praised the system for streamlining emergency procedures, improving coordination during drills, and providing first responders with vital, real-time information,” Amator said. “Administrators have reported faster recovery efforts, improved student accountability and more effective drills.”

The Raptor system costs the district $51,975 this year, Amato said.

High-tech or costly solutions respond to notable concerns, with multiple safety incidents around central Ohio this week alone. On Monday, several Hilliard schools went into lockdown or closed for the day after a student allegedly stabbed another student at a bus stop.

On Tuesday, South-Western City Schools’ Executive Director of Communication Evan Debo confirmed parents at Jackson Middle School received an email assuaging fears after social media posts referencing a “Southwest” school with a Sept. 30 date. Debo provided a copy of the email to NBC4, which assured families there was no need for concern but thanked students and parents for speaking up.

“As that post has made the rounds on Snapchat, we have seen a game of telephone with the Fort Worth, TX hoax threat evolve – particularly among middle school students — that warranted a message home to families to reassure them that we were aware and that it had been investigated in conjunction with local law enforcement and that their children were safe,” Debo said.

Communication is a pillar of improving K-12 school safety, according to the Department of Homeland Security. According to Sandy Hook Promise, a nonprofit dedicated to school safety, in four out of five school shootings, at least one other person had knowledge of the attacker’s plan but did not report it. According to a Homeland Security safety report, having multiple lanes of communication to report concerns is key for school safety.

Bexley, Grandview Heights and Upper Arlington school districts use the STAY SAFE, SPEAK UP! hotline, an online safety reporting system where people can report concerns. Many other districts direct students to the Safer Ohio tip line , a program from the Ohio School Safety Center where students can contact the state via call, app or online form to voice concerns.

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