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Grayslake CCSD 46 safety committee recommends Raptor emergency-management system; board to review purchase next meeting
Summary
After a year of assessments, the district’s safety and security committee recommended implementing Raptor’s emergency-management platform, supported by referendum-funded physical upgrades; the board will consider an action item at its next meeting.
District staff and the Safety and Security Committee on Wednesday summarized a year of facility assessments and emergency-preparedness work and recommended adopting Raptor’s emergency-management system to unify alerts, staff badges and reunification tools.
The committee’s report reviewed research-based response training (ALICE), a facilities audit by an outside security consultant, tabletop exercises and a referendum-funded plan for intercom, camera and access-control upgrades. Administrators said the work aims to modernize communication and access control across District 46 buildings.
A district presenter described ALICE as an active-shooter response program and told the board it is used in age-appropriate, trauma-informed ways across the district. Staff said a post-referendum physical-security assessment by a third-party consultant identified priorities such as locked/classroom doors, visitor-management practices, telephone and alarm improvements, window film, lighting and vegetation trimming; many cultural and operational recommendations already have been implemented, including consistent use of high-visibility vests for recess staff and locked/closed classroom procedures.
Amanda (technology leadership) described a vendor evaluation process that considered reliability, multi-channel communications, ease of use and integration with existing systems. After demonstrations, committee members ranked Raptor and BluePoint highest. "Raptor is an end to end emergency management system," Amanda said, describing features including badge-activated alerts, centralized communication during incidents and a reunification module for parent pickup.
The committee recommended moving forward with Raptor implementation during the summer so teachers can train on the platform before the school year begins. Staff added that they will evaluate whether to add BluePoint pull stations in specific locations; BluePoint’s fixed “pull-pole” devices provide a distinct on-site signal used in some districts to summon law enforcement quickly.
Board members asked about testing, equipment maintenance and the training timeline. Staff said contract details will specify testing and maintenance schedules and that formal training will be scheduled in summer and at fall institute days. The board did not vote Wednesday; the administration said it will present a purchase action item at the next regular meeting.
