Across the country active shooter training is happening all over the place, but it's different with rural school districts.
In the small community of Foyil in Rogers County, seconds count and deputies could be minutes away.
While your kids were enjoying the last days of summer break, their teachers were back in their classrooms preparing for the new year and whatever it might bring--including potential threats.
“First of all, I wanted them to feel empowered because whenever you're talking about an active shooter situation the first thought is fear,'oh no I don't want this to happen,' but I wanted our teachers to know we have policies and procedures in place, ways to protect our faculty, staff and most importantly our students," said Jackie Luckinbill, Foyil Public Schools,"
Foyil Public Schools faces an unsettling reality.
Because it's a rural school district, a good drive from the city, law enforcement response time could take longer.
“Seeing them walking away with the communication going, feeling empowered--I think it just helps us all to make sure we're keeping this towards the forefront of our minds that we are the first responders," said Luckinbill.
The Rogers County Sheriff's Office understands this too.
“It all has to do with the increase in school violence and we would be incorrect in our community if we sat around here and didn't do anything about it," said Major Coy Jenkins, Rogers County Sheriff's Office.
Not all school districts can afford campus police or high-tech security doors and cameras.
Because there is no on-site law enforcement at Foyil schools, teachers are the first line of defense.
“That's where these teachers in these rural schools are very important because a lot of times their immediate actions are going to be what prevents a terrible outcome from happening," said Jenkins.
“It would be great world if all we had to worry about was educating students, but unfortunately our world does not allow us to do that today," said Luckinbill.
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