Conroe ISD will launch panic alert technology at all campuses that will allow users to summon police, medical or fire personnel with the touch of a button on their cell phone.
Chris McCord, assistant superintendent of operations, said the district has piloted the Rave Panic Button system at Grand Oaks High School and York Junior High and it was successful at both campuses.
A grant and funding from the Montgomery County Emergency Communications District will cover the program for three years, which will cost $88,147.
The communications district will cover part of the cost and funds from a more than $116,000 Silent Panic Alert Technology grant will cover the rest, McCord
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“That brings our total cost to zero dollars,” McCord said.
The board’s approval allows the district to implement the technology two years before required by state law.
“We are fortunate to have the relationship we have with the (Communications District),” Superintendent Curtis Null. “It’s a great partnership.”
In May, legislators passed Senate Bill 838 which requires school districts to implement a panic alert system to initiate immediate contact with law enforcement agencies, health departments and fire departments by the 2025-26 school year.
In January, Conroe, Willis, Magnolia, New Caney, Montgomery and Splendora school districts announced plans to roll out the Rave system for the upcoming school year.
The technology is a security measure Texas education officials proposed in the wake of the deadly Robb Elementary shooting in Uvalde.
McCord said the app can be used by school staff to report different types of emergencies. The app will not be available for students to use.
“It notifies 911 immediately and campus-based staff,” McCord said “It gives first responders access to campus maps and allows first responders to receive real-time ongoing information about what is going on inside the campus.”
Training on the technology will be provided to school staff.
“The safety and wellbeing of our students and staff is and will always be our No. 1 priority,” Andrea Shepard, associate director at the emergency district said in January. “Our school community should be focused on learning, not worrying about their safety.”
cdominguez@houstonchronicle.com
