Fayette County schools buy crisis alert system

Fayette County has decided to purchase a crisis alert system for its schools to augment existing security measures.

The Board of Education unanimously approved the $740,000 contract with Atlanta-based Centegix on Nov. 18. As explained during a presentation at the board’s Oct. 21 meeting, the Centegix system involves equipping teachers and staff with alert badges that can be activated within seconds of a medical emergency, physical altercation, active shooting or other threat to campus safety. The badges pinpoint the location of the emergency and allow anyone on the network to lock down the site if needed. The system also includes lighted beacons in the hallways and voice/intercom alerts, with an option to integrate with local police notices. A state safety grant will pay for $720,000 of the cost, with the remaining $20,000 coming from ESPLOST funds budgeted for safety purposes.

Installation of the system will be underway soon.