Dist. 300 seeks bids for alert system

Central Community Unit School District 300 is moving forward with plans to implement a rapid communication system.

Board members Tuesday night approved a request to put out proposals for a number of area vendors.

The system can send millions of pre-recorded phone calls, text messages and e-mails to parents in a short time.

Allison Smith, communications supervisor for the district, estimated that such a system could reach all members of the 20,000 student district in 10 minutes or less.

School officials hope to use such a system for "true emergencies" -- school closings, lockdowns, or other types of safety matters, Smith said. "The feeling at this point is using (the system) for non-emergency matters would de-emphasize its importance."

District officials will now begin collecting bids this week and hope to select a vendor by late June or July.

If approved, Superintendent Ken Arndt said, the system would be installed by August.

Estimated cost for the project is about $50,000.

If approved, District 300 will join a group of other Fox Valley districts that recently began using similar systems.

Last week, Kaneland Unit District 302 approved buying a reverse-calling system for the 2008-09 school year for $13,850.

Huntley Unit District 158 also began using one this spring.

Burlington-based District 301's school board will vote on implementing a system June 16.

Jacobs High School Principal Michael Bregy said Tuesday that a rapid communication system could have helped quell recent incidents at his school.

Problems at the school the week of May 12 resulted in four arrests, Bregy said. Despite an increased Algonquin police presence at the school, student text messages and postings on social networking sites spread a host of unsubstantiated rumors about more potential fights at the school.

"The technology has created an out-of-control swirl," Bregy said May 16.

This situation, Bregy said, "may not have reached the peak that it did if we were able to get communication out to parents."

"We're so reliant on e-mail now, this is kind of the next step ... to explain exactly what's happening in school with one voice," he said.

Alerts: New system will help quell rumors, officials say