Rapid response systems becoming the rule now

They're becoming a matter of necessity.

Rapid response systems -- known by some as rapid communication systems or emergency notification systems, have or are being implemented by, a majority of Fox Valley school districts.

Community Unit School District 300 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.

Estimated cost for the project is $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 2008-2009 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.

And U-46, which has used the ConnectEd notification system since last spring, has had many reasons to sing its praises.

In the 2007-08 school year, U-46 has placed 800,000 phone calls via the system, district spokesman Tony Sanders said.

Along with weather closings, the system was used to notify parents about the recent Elgin High teacher stabbing and the South Elgin High firecracker prank.

U-46 also used the system to notify its staff members about selecting Jose Torres as its new superintendent, Sanders said.

"The ability to call all parents before they can get information from another source is a powerful tool to have," he said.

District 300 Jacobs High School Principal Michael Bregy said Tuesday that a rapid communication system might have helped quell recent incidents at his school.

Problems at the school in May 12 resulted in four arrests, Bregy said. Despite an increased Algonquin police presence at the school that week, 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.

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.

Logic says Bregy's words will someday soon ring true.

As with cell phones, can you imagine the day when parents ask themselves just what they did without a rapid response system?