Mutualink’s K12 solution creates a culture of collaboration between schools and law enforcement for safer schools. The Mutualink system is aligned with requirements set forth in the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act (SB 7026) requiring emergency communication systems. The Mutualink system is comprised of a panic button app for teachers and staff, and an interoperability platform and radio and video gateways to improve communication and coordination between schools and first responders, specifically local law enforcement agencies.

When teachers use the panic button app to report an active shooter, they automatically and simultaneously: dial 9-1-1, initiate an “incident” (collaboration session) between the school office and law enforcement to share radio and video communications, and send an alert (smartphone notification) to on-site personnel. Similarly, the panic button app enables them to report a fire, a medical emergency, a police notification or some other 9-1-1 emergency. It includes a Staff Assist function for non-emergency situations requiring in-school assistance. The system is supported with installation and training (both in-person and virtual/online). User Guides and phone support are also available. This system is in use across Florida, including in Seminole, Osceola, Walton, Sumter and Lake Counties. Leon County’s School Board recently voted unanimously in favor of this solution. In addition, sharing of radio and video communications is at the school’s discretion, eliminating any concerns for privacy. The system is FERPA compliant and has been reviewed by the Florida ACLU, who has voiced concerns over other types of surveillance systems.

Communication between school and law enforcement is paramount to reducing time to incident resolution during emergencies. Improved radio and video communications provide enhanced situational awareness for responding officers. As a result, emergency incidents are resolved more quickly with better outcomes for victims and a safer environment for law enforcement.

The opportunity to empower each teacher and staff member with the ability to immediately report an incident and open audio and visual communications with local law enforcement agencies addresses some of the failures in response reported in after action reports from many school shooting events going as far back as Columbine. Mutualink provides not only the mechanism to reduce time to resolution, but it instills a sense of confidence and control that overcomes fear about safety and security.

Mutualink is a proven school safety communications solution, and part of Standard Operating Procedures and school safety training and drills at K-12 facilities across the state and throughout the country. Incorporating the use of the solution in fire drills and active shooter training will further add to the success of the initiative.

In drills run with and without Mutualink, other school districts found that time to resolution was reduced by as much as 50%, with average time to resolution reduced by over 40%.

The District will improve safety across campuses and realize enhanced communication and collaboration with local law enforcement agencies. Standard Operating Procedures will be implemented informed by School Safety Plans and in service of Code Red Drills.

GOAL 2 Improve management of district-wide operations and facilities

Strategy 2.3: Improve security and safety of all district and school buildings

That the Clay County School Board approve the purchase of Mutualink K12 interoperability to improve school safety.