Dist. 301 to install reverse-calling system

In the coming weeks, Central Unit School District 301 will implement a reverse-calling system for school emergencies.

The system can send millions of prerecorded phone calls, text messages and e-mails to parents within minutes.

The system, from Missouri-based SchoolReach, will cost the district $10,500 next year, Assistant Superintendent Todd Stirn said.

To pay for the system, a $3 charge will be added to student registration fees.

Out of nearly a dozen similar reverse-calling systems, Stirn said SchoolReach was chosen because it is compatible with the district's current student information software and would not require any extra phone lines or computer hardware.

For families with caller ID, calls would show up as coming from the school, he said.

Initially, district leaders plan to use the system to communicate weather advisories, athletic event reminders and safety precautions.

As District 301 grows into the system, Stirn says, it plans to use other features, such as electronic parent surveys.

While school districts can send unlimited messages through the SchoolReach system, Vice President Paul Langhorst Monday said his company cautions customers against overuse.

"Using it for trivial things, like today's lunch menu or political statements - those are abuses," he said.

One of the greatest features of the system, Langhorst believes, is rumor abatement.

"We've seen it a number of times where something happens at school and kids start texting each other. A rumor can actually create a bigger situation than the actual situation itself," he said.

District 301 will join a host of Fox Valley districts using reverse-calling systems.

In May, Kaneland Unit District 302 approved buying a reverse-calling system for the upcoming school year for $13,850. Huntley Unit District 158 also began using one this spring.

Carpentersville-based Community Unit District 300 voted on implementing a system Monday night.

Elgin Area School District U-46 has used the Connected notification system for about 14 months, district spokesman Tony Sanders said.

Last school year, U-46 placed more than 800,000 calls via the system, Sanders said.

Along with weather closings, Connected was used to notify parents about the Elgin High teacher stabbing, the South Elgin High firecracker prank and the selection of Jose Torres as the district's new superintendent.

A letter will be sent out to District 301 parents this Friday about the new system. Officials plan to run at least one test before school begins in August, Stirn said.