Clovis Unified aims to cut emergency notification time for parents

CLOVIS, Calif. (KFSN) -- News travels fast when a school has a power outage, is placed on lockdown or is evacuated.

That's why Clovis Unified School District is adjusting the speed at which it notifies parents during critical events.

"Previously, we had sought to get information out to a parent community within a 30-minute window of a school potentially going into a lockdown or a shelter in place," Chief Communications Officer Kelly Avants said.

Avants says that 30 minute window allowed the district to secure the campus and gather more information.

Now, they're aiming to cut that notification time in half. She says they'll work to notify parents within 15 minutes.

However, the reduced timeframe may also mean reduced information upfront.

"What we will not be able to do at that point in time is give them a full and complete accounting of everything that's happened on that campus," Avants said.

Avants says the district will communicate more detailed information, but it likely won't be in the first alert.

She says during these events, it's important that parents don't go to the school site.

"During a safety event, it can be very natural for a parent to say, 'I am going to that school. I am getting on campus. I'm finding my kid.' And what they need to realize is that in that moment, they become the threat to that school," Avants explained.

Avants says parents can be assured the district has taken proactive measures to keep students safe.

That includes installing one-touch locking door systems, district-wide testing of emergency PA systems and security cameras and ongoing training for Clovis Unified officers.

She says part of the reason for the accelerated communication is to alert parents that procedures are in place and to dispel any rumors during these situations.

"You'll get factual information through our school system, and we're going to work as best as possible to get you timely communication as well," Avants said.

The district says parents should make sure their contact information is correct.

They also say that if you previously turned off all notifications from Parent Square, you will not receive these critical alerts.

Instead of refusing all alerts, go to the settings and adjust which alerts you want to see.

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