MONROE - Don't be surprised if you start getting text messages from Monroe schools Superintendent Larry Brown in the near future.
The district is purchasing a Rapid Communications System to almost instantly communicate emergency, and non-emergency, information to parents. The system can make up to 8,000 phone calls or text messages per minute. The district can choose to have messages delivered in the voice of a school official or as an electronically-created voice.
The AlertNow system will have a variety of uses, Business Manager Ron Olson said. It can be used to relay emergency information - such as information about recent school threats and vandalism that forced schools to close for a day. It also can notify parents of cancellations and closings related to severe weather.
It can be used to send general announcements or notices, such as a reminder about an upcoming early release day, alerting parents when lunch account balances are low or reporting attendance issues.
Olson said the system can be searched for any data the district tracks, so messages can be specified to just those affected. For example, he said, the district could use the system to alert parents that a particular bus route is running late without contacting others not impacted.
There still are some details to be worked out on when and how the district will use the system, Olson said.
"We don't want to inundate parents with calls," he said.
The AlertNow system will cost $2.55 per student. Based on the 3,000 students expected to be enrolled in Monroe schools, including the virtual school, in the fall, the system will cost $7,650 per year for the unlimited plan.
AlertNow promises it can have the system up and running within 30 days. Because it is so close to the end of the school year, the company is willing to provide free service until the contract begins July 1, Olson said.
Olson looked at two other companies, Skyalert and School Messenger. Skyalert's price was $3.86 per student, and School Messenger's was $2.50. Olson said AlertNow is the industry leader and he received many positive references on the company.
AlertNow also has the benefit of being able to translate information in up to 30 languages or dialects, so non-English speaking parents will be able to understand the information, Olson said. The Monroe school district has students representing up to 12 different languages at one time.
The district is purchasing a Rapid Communications System to almost instantly communicate emergency, and non-emergency, information to parents. The system can make up to 8,000 phone calls or text messages per minute. The district can choose to have messages delivered in the voice of a school official or as an electronically-created voice.
The AlertNow system will have a variety of uses, Business Manager Ron Olson said. It can be used to relay emergency information - such as information about recent school threats and vandalism that forced schools to close for a day. It also can notify parents of cancellations and closings related to severe weather.
It can be used to send general announcements or notices, such as a reminder about an upcoming early release day, alerting parents when lunch account balances are low or reporting attendance issues.
Olson said the system can be searched for any data the district tracks, so messages can be specified to just those affected. For example, he said, the district could use the system to alert parents that a particular bus route is running late without contacting others not impacted.
There still are some details to be worked out on when and how the district will use the system, Olson said.
"We don't want to inundate parents with calls," he said.
The AlertNow system will cost $2.55 per student. Based on the 3,000 students expected to be enrolled in Monroe schools, including the virtual school, in the fall, the system will cost $7,650 per year for the unlimited plan.
AlertNow promises it can have the system up and running within 30 days. Because it is so close to the end of the school year, the company is willing to provide free service until the contract begins July 1, Olson said.
Olson looked at two other companies, Skyalert and School Messenger. Skyalert's price was $3.86 per student, and School Messenger's was $2.50. Olson said AlertNow is the industry leader and he received many positive references on the company.
AlertNow also has the benefit of being able to translate information in up to 30 languages or dialects, so non-English speaking parents will be able to understand the information, Olson said. The Monroe school district has students representing up to 12 different languages at one time.