After a successful trial run, the Henry County Board of Eduction has decided to install a new emergency response system in all 51 of its schools. Final approval came by unanimous vote at the board’s February 10 meeting.
A pilot program has been underway at Bethlehem Elementary, Woodland Middle and Dutchtown High during the current school year. District officials reported to the board that it has met all performance expectations, so the decision was made to move forward and approve the agreement with Centegix to provide the hardware and software.
Purchasing and installing the system at the remaining 48 schools will cost $1,440,000. For the pilot program, the district has already spent $86,000. All of this money will be reimbursed by the state through the Governor’s 2019 Safety Grant.
“School safety and security are most important to our district,” said board chair Josh Hinton. “In critical moments, our schools need to be able to receive immediate support from many different professionals, and this system will ensure that happens. One of our core beliefs as a board speaks to supportive, safe, and secure learning environments. The investment to secure this system aligns with this belief and commitment.”
The district’s partners at the Henry County Sheriff’s Office, which provides all of the school resource officers, see the new response system as a huge asset for the community.
“Our children are our most precious commodity,” said Sheriff Keith McBrayer. “The safety and security of all of our staff and students within our schools is paramount. As we all know, in any crisis or emergency, seconds do matter. The Centegix system was designed to minimize the time needed to activate an emergency response to certain situations. I am excited about this system and look forward to its implementation into our schools.”
The new campus emergency response system is the latest technology that allows employees to enact an emergency response at the click of a button from anywhere on campus, including spaces outside of the building. Emergency situations can include scenarios such as medical responses or campus lockdowns.
“This new system will help provide one more opportunity for our community to feel confident in the measures we take to ensure our learning environments are as safe as can be,” said board member Dr. Pam Nutt. “I know that we have the best community partners through our friends in law enforcement, and now they will know instantly if we need their quick response.”
Woodland Middle School Principal Dr. Joycelyn Jackson shared that after her school’s experience with the system as a pilot school, she is excited to have her peers experience its many features and capabilities. There have been instances throughout the school year that have helped to prove the system’s worth and value to her school.
“School safety is the foundation of ensuring high quality teaching and learning happens daily,” said Jackson. “In any emergency situation, this system provides us with a way to immediately report the matter to school administrators and school-level first responders. I truly appreciate the board of education’s investment in the safety and security of our schools.”
Once purchased, installation of the system components will begin toward the end of the current school year and into the summer months. The system will be tested and operational by the first day of the 2020-2021 school year in August.
“We have a commitment to the community to provide an exceptional education to all of our students, but we cannot do that without first providing a safe and secure learning environment,” said Superintendent Mary Elizabeth Davis. “Peace of mind and trust for our families is highly valued and what we aim to provide at all times, and we believe that this latest measure is another step in the right direction to support these values.”
