Setting a New Standard for School Safety Through Connected Technology

About the School District of Manatee County

Committed to creating safe, supportive learning environments, the School District of Manatee County (SDMC) is investing in connected technology and partnerships that strengthen emergency preparedness, accelerate response, and build confidence across its schools.

“Student success depends on creating schools where students and staff feel safe, supported, and ready to learn.”‍

— Dr. Laurie Breslin, Superintendent, School District of Manatee County

From alert to action: A more connected response

With CENTEGIX CrisisAlert™, Manatee County staff can discreetly request assistance from anywhere on campus, giving designated responders immediate access to critical location information.

As one of the first districts to leverage CENTEGIX alert activated video through OpenEye, Manatee County is taking response a step further. By automatically connecting alerts with nearby live video, the integration gives school teams and, when needed, law enforcement greater situational awareness to assess incidents and coordinate an appropriate response.

“Live video, maps, and context will be automatically streamed directly to dispatchers and first responders, turning our cameras into a real-time response resource rather than solely a post-event tool.”‍

— Scott Hansen, Chief Technology Officer, School District of Manatee County

Building a culture of confidence

At Mona Jain Middle School, staff have confidence that help is accessible when needed, allowing educators to focus on teaching and students on learning.

“When I know my staff and students are safe, I know that they can do what they came here to do.”

— Kate Barlaug, Principal, Mona Jain Middle School

The district's partnership with the Manatee County Sheriff's Office extends that confidence beyond campus, connecting critical alert information and live video with the Real-Time Crime Center during larger-scale emergencies.

“It's a game changer. As soon as that alert goes off, my crime analyst is going to be able to view the cameras and identify the threat for the deputy.”

— Rick Wells, Sheriff, Manatee County

Together, these investments are helping Manatee County create a more coordinated approach to school safety, from everyday incidents to campus-wide emergencies.

See Manatee County's safety strategy in action

Watch how district leaders, educators, and law enforcement are working together to strengthen incident response through the CENTEGIX Safety Platform.

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