An uptick in threats against schools across the country has local districts considering significant steps to bolster security and streamline crisis response protocols.

Jim Thorpe Superintendent Robert Presley said during a school board workshop meeting this month that he and the district’s security director, Lori Leinhard, recently attended a “swatting” tabletop exercise, where local law enforcement and school officials collaborated to improve their response to potential threats.

One of the most cutting-edge security technologies being considered by Jim Thorpe is similar to a system that recently saved lives in a Georgia school shooting.

In that incident, the Centegix Crisis Alert System allowed a teacher to press a button multiple times, which immediately triggered a lockdown, notified local police, and sent flashing alerts throughout the building.

“They put sensors in the building, and if there’s ever a situation — say a fight in one of the far hallways — the teacher can press the button three times, and the call goes out immediately for assistance,” Presley said. “If there’s a serious emergency like an intruder, pressing the button eight times puts the school in lockdown instantly.”

Leinhard explained that this technology is much faster and more reliable than current crisis management systems.

“In a life-threatening situation, every second counts. With this system, instead of fumbling to get on the phone with the front office or navigate through an app, staff can send an alert with just the press of a button. The system takes over all computer screens in the school, displaying a clear ‘lockdown’ message, and sends precise location data to law enforcement,” she said.

The initial cost for Jim Thorpe’s district would be approximately $43,800, but Presley noted that savings could be found by discontinuing other systems that would no longer be necessary.

“By switching to the new system, we can eliminate that cost, and we’ll also save on other crisis management tools,” Presley said.

Once installed, the ongoing cost for maintaining the new system would be around $18,000 per year.

“You really can’t put a price on student safety,” he said.

Leinhard added that should Jim Thorpe’s school board decide to move forward with the system, the district would pursue grants to help cover the costs.

“We’ve applied for equipment grants before, and we’re hopeful we can secure around $25,000 to offset the initial setup,” Leinhard said. “When you break it down, it’s about $8 per student for peace of mind. Add the staff numbers on top of that and it comes down even more.”

The Centegix system used in Georgia, administrators said, has been widely praised for its effectiveness in responding to emergencies. After a teacher triggered the alert during the shooting, flashing lights went off throughout the school, and a message was displayed on classroom screens indicating a lockdown. Law enforcement arrived quickly, and an armed school resource officer was able to intervene before the shooter could cause more harm.

“The system pinpoints exactly where the problem is in the building, so police know exactly where to go,” Presley said. “It’s incredibly efficient.”

Lehighton School District has also grappled with the reality of frequent threats this school year with administration having had to reach out to parents on multiple occasions.

Once, after a shell casing was found on the high school campus in early September and again following a concerning Safe2Say tip later that month.

“Even when a threat seems non-credible, we treat it with the utmost seriousness,” Jack Corby, Lehighton interim superintendent, said during a school board meeting last month. “Our priority is always the safety and security of our students and staff.”

Corby apologized for the disruption these incidents cause but emphasized that transparency is key.

“I apologize for the late-night calls, but I wasn’t going to put out incomplete information,” he said. “We’re working around the clock to keep everyone informed. Please continue to talk to your children and let them know that we love them and care for them.”

Jim Thorpe officials said they use a reporting system linked to the Federal Bureau of Investigation that allows the agency to see if the same exact threat is being used at multiple schools.

“Sometimes it is the same threat and the name is changed to reflect the local district,” Leinhard said.

Presley encouraged anyone who sees a threat not to repost it.

“That just causes more chaos and fear,” he said. “Just send it to us. ... You can use the Safe2Say app, call us, whatever it takes, but please don’t repost them on social media.”

Local efforts reflect a larger trend in Pennsylvania, where districts are increasingly focused on upgrading their security systems. At a recent House Education Committee hearing on school safety, administrators, security officers, and representatives from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency discussed the growing need for multi-faceted solutions to address the evolving threats facing schools.

“School safety today is about much more than just protecting against gun violence,” said state Rep. Peter Schweyer, chair of the committee. “It’s about preventing all forms of violence on school grounds, from bullying to mental health crises, and ensuring that our schools remain safe environments for both learning and teaching.”

Mike Pennington, executive director of the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, pointed out that while significant progress has been made in recent years, there is still more work to be done.

“We need to continue evaluating and updating our school safety programs, including the training and tools we provide to districts,” he said