District recommends switching school active‑shooter training from ALICE to ALERT/CRASE

The district safety manager (referred to in the presentation as Mr. Sergeant) briefed the board on crisis‑response options and recommended the district transition from the private ALICE program to the government‑based ALERT/CRASE model. He said ALERT aligns training language with local first responders (Rapid City Police Department, Pennington County Sheriff’s Office, Rapid City Fire Department and 911 dispatch), is research‑based, and does not carry the annual licensing cost the board had paid for ALICE in prior years.

Mr. Sergeant described differences between the programs: ALICE (a private vendor, previously used by the district) requires licensed instructors, carries an approximate annual cost (cited as $15,000), and—he said—has no online option and limited state instructor support. He described Alert/CRASE as free through government trainers, compatible with the district's existing security technology, and adaptable for non‑ambulatory students and special‑services needs. He also noted there are active litigations involving Navigate 360 (the parent company of ALICE) and said some training components and potential training‑induced trauma were concerns raised by practitioners.

Mr. Sergeant outlined training logistics: a four‑hour train‑the‑trainer course (he is already certified), staff training that can be delivered via Canvas or in person (2.5 hours estimated), and an implementation plan to train administrators in June and train staff in early August so ALERT would be in place on the first day of school. Dr. Thompson said it is the administration’s intention to place the recommendation on the board agenda next week for consideration.

Board members generally expressed support but asked practical questions about timing, fiscal impacts and use of district security staff as trainers. No formal action was taken at the study session; the item was slated for board consideration at the next regular meeting.