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Board hears presentation on Sandy Hook Promise ‘Say Something’ app; district to review MOU before onboarding
Summary
Jennings County School Corporation officials presented the Sandy Hook Promise 'Say Something' anonymous reporting app as a possible new safety tool. The board was told the app and national crisis center service are free; an MOU and legal review are required before approval and onboarding (estimated 6–9 weeks).
District staff introduced the Sandy Hook Promise “Say Something” reporting program and told the board they would bring an MOU for approval at a future meeting if the board is interested.
A district presenter described the program as a free app and website that allows students, parents and community members to submit anonymous reports about school safety threats, bullying, self-harm, and other concerns; users can attach screenshots of social-media posts. The presenter said reports can be routed to a national crisis center that operates 24/7 and is capable of multilingual support. If the national center identifies an urgent threat and cannot reach a local follow-up contact, it can call local law enforcement directly, the presenter said.
The district official said the board was not being asked to approve associated curriculum or trainings at this time — only permission to pursue a memorandum of understanding and bring the MOU back for legal review and formal approval. Staff told the board that, if the district signs the MOU, the vendor estimates a 6–9 week onboarding timeframe to have the system available for the next school year.
Why it matters: the program would add an externally monitored, anonymous reporting channel and a staffed crisis center that could supplement district reporting processes. The board did not vote on the MOU at the meeting; staff will return with the MOU and legal review for a future vote.
Clarifications from the meeting: staff emphasized the app itself is free to join, the district can opt in to optional curriculum/training later, and the MOU must be routed through the district’s legal team before a final decision. The presenter noted Mooresville School District had previously used the program to surface a safety concern before an incident.
Ending: The board agreed to consider the MOU at a later meeting after staff obtain and review the agreement and the board’s legal counsel examines it.
