(The Center Square) — The Tulare County Office of Education created ActVnet, a school safety program, to enhance security measures and response systems on campuses.
ActVnet started with the goal of improving collaboration between schools and first responders during emergencies. This web-based solution, which can be used on any device, intends to shorten the response time during emergencies and ensure kids, teachers and staff are safe.
The first school to use ActVnet was the Sundale Union Elementary School in the San Joaquin Valley city of Tulare, back in January 2023. The program is currently being used by 64 school districts in 11 counties in California.
Tim Hire, the Tulare County superintendent of schools and founder of ActVnet, told The Center Square, that this program is a game changer. He said it is reactive, through drills and response time, as opposed to the common proactive approach other school districts have in place.
“ActVnet provides the dispatch information in real time,” said Hire. “You’re getting detailed information about where and what is going on … that’s the beauty of the program, that instant communication and the ability to navigate without ever setting foot on campus. All of those things lead to reduced response time, which in turn saves lives.”
Schools that use the ActVnet program have a common map structure. Building signs with special IDs help first responders navigate the campus easier.
“We believe that it’s a game changer for students, parents and staff,” said Hire. “It’s a peace of mind to know that there is a comprehensive response protocol in place that will significantly reduce response time.”
The emergency response team can log into the ActVnet system, obtain a digital floor plan of the school’s campus and access the security cameras.
“I don’t know that I’ve seen a tool like this that puts it all in one package. That makes it available for a dispatcher to be able to see and relate information to an officer that’s responding or for officers on scene to be able to engage themselves,” Visalia Police Chief Jason Salazar said.
“It’s one of those things where you build this out, you put it out there, and you hope you never have to use it,” said Hire.
The California School Boards Association told The Center Square that student safety will continue to be a top concern for California schools, but it is ultimately up to the local school districts to enact such decisions.
“All California school districts and county offices of education are required by education code to develop Comprehensive School Safety Plans on an annual basis,” said Troy Flint, chief communications officer for the California School Boards Association.
Flint explained those plans must include an assessment of school safety, emergency procedures and communications strategies for collaborating with other agencies during emergencies.
“These are local decisions made by people who live in and understand the community, not one-size-fits-all mandates to use a particular product,” Flint said. “When it comes to public schools, California has a traditional and continuing preference for local control … [which] means that school districts of varying types will pursue different avenues to achieve universal goals of student safety.”
In response to ActVnet, the Los Angeles Unified School District told The Center Square the unique needs of all school districts are met with a high level of collaboration and communication.
“The District assesses the specific needs of each of our more than 1,500 schools and centers to develop and implement safety plans that addresses the unique needs of each community,” said a Los Angeles Unified spokesperson. “In collaboration and coordination with students, families, and local leaders, the District leverages partnerships with law enforcement, community-based organizations, and District personnel to create a safe and welcoming learning environment.”
Yet, many question LAUSD’d readiness to respond during crises since the districts scrambled to respond to the wildfires that hit Los Angeles back in January.
To raise further awareness of ActVnet, TCOE is currently seeking funding for Assembly Bill 960, which would require each public schools, including charter schools, to implement a web-based or app-based school safety program by July 1, 2030.