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Lee County details new proactive and reactive school safety systems; installation to finish Nov. 21
Summary
District safety officials described a proactive reporting database in use since Sept. 23 and a reactive badge/button system ('Centix' per transcript) slated for installation Nov. 11–21 with planned training and a go‑live next semester; officials said the reactive system supports multiple lockdown levels.
Kevin Dowling, the district’s executive director of school safety and student discipline, updated the board on two safety systems the district purchased.
Dowling said the district’s proactive reporting tool (referred to in the transcript as "School dog") allows administrators and school resource officers to log safety observations into a searchable database; the district reported it has recorded over 1,000 entries since going live on Sept. 23.
"We've already got over a thousand entries on it. We start we've been live since September 23rd," Dowling said, describing how the database surfaces recurring problems so principals and maintenance can address them before they escalate.
He also described a reactive system referred to in the transcript as "Centix," a badge‑and‑button tool that can summon help, notify 911, and trigger lockdown modes. Dowling said the vendor reports broad adoption across Georgia and that district installation would begin the following day with on‑site work after school and a planned finish date of Nov. 21; the district expects to train designated responders and to go live at the start of the next semester.
Board members asked technical questions, including whether doors lock automatically and how students in hallways are handled during lockdowns. Presenters said the system issues announcements, lights and instructions and supports different lockdown levels (soft lock — limited egress; full lockdown — shelter in place and lock doors). Officials said they would follow up after the meeting with detailed door‑status information and integration questions.
The district plans a demonstration of the reactive system at its safety summit in January if installation and testing proceed as expected. Board members did not vote on the safety presentation; the item was informational.
