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District details layered school safety measures: Raptor, SROs, training and AI alerts
Summary
District security and technology staff briefed the board on emergency response planning, visitor controls, SRO coverage, commissioned security officers, monthly audits, a confidential tip line and an AI‑assisted online safety alert system that scans Google Workspace for worrisome content.
At the Feb. 18 Bentonville School District Board meeting, district safety and IT staff described a multi‑layered approach to school security that combines physical controls, training and digital monitoring.
Steve Vera, the district’s safety lead, told the board each school maintains an emergency response plan reviewed annually and that staff receive civilian response training for active‑shooter incidents as well as first aid, CPR and "Stop the Bleed" instruction. "The well‑being of our students and our staff is the most priority in our district," Vera said.
Physical security measures described to the board included one‑point main entry with video/audio buzz‑in, Raptor visitor management with government‑ID scans, locked exterior doors, electronic teacher access badges and classroom doors that remain locked. Buildings have exterior classroom numbers to aid first responders, Vera said. High schools and junior highs also use monthly drug‑detection dog sweeps and school buses are equipped with transport tracking, access badges and onboard video.
Vera outlined law‑enforcement partnerships: each high school has two school resource officers, junior highs have one each and an officer covers a cluster of elementary schools. The district also employs commissioned school security officers who are armed and complete state certification (60 hours initial training, 24‑hour annual refresher), Vera said.
District technology staff described their online safety tools. Aaron explained the district offers Custodio (parent app) for device and screen‑time monitoring and an online safety hub with resources for parents and staff. He said the district’s AI‑powered safety alert system analyzes student Google Workspace (email, chat, Drive) and assigns severity scores; severe alerts route to campus counselors and administrators. Aaron said the system has contributed to interventions, including instances he characterized as suicide prevention.
Vera highlighted a confidential tip line his office monitors evenings and weekends; he described a recent tip that led administrators and counselors to intervene. The district also conducts school‑security audits and maintains behavior‑threat‑assessment teams at each school; those teams classify concerns from low to imminent and implement monitoring and intervention plans, he said.
Across a district culture survey cited by superintendent Jones, staff reported 96 percent agreement that their schools are safe and orderly, a figure Jones and board members noted during the discussion.
The presentation was informational; no formal action was requested at the Feb. 18 meeting.
