District security officials detail state-funded "Say Something" tip app, procedures and staffing needs

District security leaders told the security committee on the record that a state-funded anonymous reporting app, Say Something, has improved the district’s ability to receive and act on tips from students and others.

“These are not enhancements for convenience. They are foundational to ensuring a safe and secure learning environment for every student and for every staff member,” Doctor Robinson said as he summarized recent Office of Security work, citing deployment of a districtwide visitor-management system, expanded RAVE panic alerts and the Say Something reporting system.

Mr. Scott, who led the presentation, described how the app works and gave usage details. “This application… It was launched in 2024. As of when this presentation was put together, you received about 257 tips,” he said, noting tips arrive via text, phone call or the web and are tracked on a real-time dashboard. He contrasted the app with the district’s older tip line, saying the new system notifies many responders simultaneously rather than relying on sequential phone trees.

Dr. Cora Thompson Drew, who supervises school psychology services and crisis response, explained how tips are processed: an external crisis call center in Florida fields reports and routes them to district or school teams. “They run through a series of questions with the tipster in attempt to determine whether this is a life safety tip. If it's a life safety, they want to deal with that immediately,” she said, adding that life-safety tips are routed immediately to the responsible school team and often to law enforcement for a safety check.

Board member Miss Kaufman asked whether the state funding is a pilot or permanent. Presenters said the system is the product of state legislation that funds and requires an anonymous reporting system; the district does not pay for the product. A presenter summarized: the General Assembly provided funding for the Say Something anonymous app and districts may use compliant alternative systems, but the district currently uses the state-provided, funded option.

Officials acknowledged operational concerns raised by principals when the app rolled out, including high initial volumes and calls occurring overnight. Presenters said volume spikes were expected during rollout, that most tips have been non–life-safety reports, and recommended rotating school on-call teams so someone is always the first responder. They also said many tips come late afternoon and evening (roughly 3:30–6:30 p.m.), and recommended consulting youth mental-health advisory and student groups to explore why students often wait until after school to report.

Mr. Scott also noted the district’s response to a high-profile February incident at Milbrook High School, which he said will be discussed in more depth in closed session. He read from community thank-you notes and recognized Officer Kirk, an SRO, and school administrators for their response at that site.

Votes at a glance - Approval of February security meeting minutes: motion moved and seconded; chair called for aye and declared the minutes approved (no roll-call vote names or tallies recorded in the public transcript). - Motion to enter closed session to "formulate plans related to the prevention of school violence through the development of emergency plans" under the statute cited in the transcript: motion passed by ayes; the committee moved into closed session.

What happens next Officials said parts of the Say Something discussion—specifically the incident response at Milbrook High School and related operational details—will be covered in the closed session called under the statute cited on the record. Presenters recommended follow-up with student advisory groups to better understand reporting timing and to ensure on-call staffing rotations at schools.