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Green Country schools re-evaluating safety measures one year after Parkland shooting

Posted at 8:41 PM, Feb 14, 2019
and last updated 2019-02-14 23:13:10-05

SAND SPRINGS, Okla. — From new apps to expanded safety committees, schools across Green Country spent the last year re-evaluating security.

In Bixby, parents spoke out wanting to get involved immediately after the shooting in Parkland.

"We actually had one or two lockdowns here in Bixby based on some reports, threats that students had made that we had to act on. If you recall, there was a lot of emotion," superintendent Rob Miller said.

In Sand Springs they use the STOPit app, where students can report threats and the school can prevent an incident before anythign ever happens.

"I think people are really checking to see if what they're doing is the best thing that they can do. So it has changed. It makes you a little more aware. It makes you feel like you need to get extra support," Central Ninth Grade Center Principal JJ Smith said.

In addition to STOPit they launched CrisisGo, which equips teachers with rosters and a panic button on their phones to contact first responders. They also hired a new resource officer, and are researching active shooter training for the fall.

"We want to make sure that we're never complacent. As soon as you get complacent and think that you've got it, something happens. We want to make sure that we keep it in the front of our minds to always work to be better," Smith said.

Bixby gave students access to Sandy Hook Promise this year as a way to share online to counselors the things they hear. The superintendent tells 2 Works for You they've received dozens of tips, and know they'll keep making changes.

"I don't know if you ever have complete peace of mind. You're always concerned about what could happen. Just like Parkland demonstrated to us: every school shooting, every tragedy like that is different," Miller said.

Both districts said security is a bigger priority now than ever before.

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