That was the pitch made to the Easton Area School Board as the members consider whether to buy Navigate360 software.
The software package would allow teachers and administrators to react to emergencies through an app on their phones or computers. The software was discussed at the school board meeting Nov. 1. You can see the discussion on a YouTube video of the meeting.
A company representative described a hypothetical scenario where a school police officer sees an apparently armed person heading through a parking lot toward a school.
The officer can set varying levels of a lockdown or an alarm and instantly alert staff and law enforcement via a phone app. Once the alarm is in place, teachers can take impromptu attendance to assure each child is accounted for. A child on the way to the bathroom who ducks into a classroom for safety can be logged into the system by that classroom teacher.
The software also helps keep track of children if they’re moved off campus due to an emergency. It also keeps track of them as they’re reunited with their parents.
During a fire drill, every student can be accounted for in a matter of minutes, according to Easton Area School District Director of Safe Schools John Remaley.
“I think it’s a no brainer,” he said.
The system costs $55,461 for the initial year and $20,888 each year after that. The extra money the first year covers the cost of mapping every Easton Area School District school. The maps will show the location of all fire extinguishers and security cameras.
There would be photos of each classroom and each classroom entrance. Responders will see the blind spots in each classroom instantly if they’re trying to track down children during an active shooter event. The photos will show desks and cabinets that could be used to barricade a door.
Key utility information is also mapped.
“I would venture 99 percent of your staff has no idea where the gas shutoff is if they smell gas,” said the Navigate360 representative.
The system would be accessible by all employees but there would be varying levels of clearance and access to information set by the administration. Board member Edward Keegan wondered whether it’s wise to consolidate all that information in one place.
“It’s software that someone could hack into at any time,” he said. The Navigate360 representative said the information is encrypted. It’s a cloud-based system.
Most area schools have the system, Remaley said. If the high school is evacuated, this software would help keep track of 3,000 students as they’re moved to a safe location, he said.
“Imagine trying to do a parental reunification after that move,” Remaley said.
The school board is scheduled to vote on whether to buy the software at the next meeting, Tuesday, Nov. 15, in the library at Easton Area High School.
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