How Iowa schools plan to keep students safe as classes begin

DES MOINES, Iowa — With many students heading back to the classroom on Friday, safety is at the top of mind for Iowa school districts.

Ensuring school safety starts with the Safe and Sound App. The application was rolled out by the Governor’s School Safety Bureau in 2022, and it allows students and parents/guardians to report any type of threat anonymously.

The app is monitored all day, every day of the year. During the last school year, 93 of the state’s 302 school districts used the app. The bureau said more schools are expected to use it again this year.

Over 300 tips were received through the application during the 2023-2024 school year. These tips included threats of violence, bullying, acts of self-harm, and drug use. After tips are received, schools and law enforcement investigate. Their response depends on the threat.

Matthew Anderson, the Bureau chief said, “Locating that student, getting them the help they need, finding out like do they have the tools at their disposal for this threat, or is it a cry for help, and we need to get them some counseling services, and we need to get them the attention they need moving forward.”

Anderson said they even received tips over the summer and were able to provide resources to address them.

As more school districts utilize the app, they’re expecting more tips to be submitted. Anderson said he’s urging everyone to be the eyes and ears to ensure school safety.

“We all have somebody that’s in the school system, and so listen to them, pay attention to them. Make sure that they’re getting the help they need. If you hear something, use that Safe and Sound app and let us know,” he said.

Another tool schools are using to keep students safe is the emergency radio. They help lower response times during active school emergencies.

During the last school year, over 1,200 schools used them. Funding is available right now for schools to request them. Anderson said that 90 schools currently have emergency radios.

Schools have until October to request the technology.

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