How Raptor Visitor Management Helped During Hurricane Ian, And Other Safety Solutions

The importance of a visitor management system in school safety may not be immediately associated with weather emergencies. However, when Hurricane Ian struck Florida in September 2022, it was the Raptor Visitor Management system that Seminole County Public Schools (SCPS) relied upon for safety, accountability, and peace of mind. The district’s school buildings were used as public shelters, offering refuge to many. Despite the potential for safety challenges unrelated to the weather, the district was prepared, thanks to innovative thinking, strong leadership, and the efficient technology of the Raptor system.

In a recent episode of School Safety Today, host Michelle Dawn Mooney invited Sergeant Kyle Worthington, the Threat Management Coordinator at the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office, to delve deeper into this exceptional circumstance.

Sergeant Worthington shared how the Raptor system was instrumental in maintaining community safety. It enabled schools to check in and out all shelter guests, and even ensured that registered sex offenders were kept separate from students.

As the 12th largest school district in Florida and the 60th largest in the nation, SCPS employs the Raptor Visitor Management system for a range of other purposes as well. These include generating end-of-day reports to track teachers’ hours for grant-funded training, and managing staff accountability measures involving building movement.

While acknowledging that no single solution can fit all situations, Worthington stated, “We kind of use technology to assist us in that layered approach, but more importantly, it’s about partnerships. It’s about partnerships with the community because it takes a village. You need partnerships not only with your law enforcement agencies but all of your community organizations… at the end of the day, it’s about the students, keeping them safe.”

With 20 years of Army service and 16 years at the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office in Florida, Sergeant Worthington brings a wealth of experience to his role as the threat management coordinator for the local school district. SCPS benefits from a unique partnership, being one of the few Florida school districts with a Sheriff’s Office Captain overseeing and being responsible for the district’s office of school safety.

Recent Episodes

School Safety Today podcast, presented by Raptor Technologies. In this episode of School Safety Today by Raptor Technologies, host Dr. Amy Grosso speaks with Ray Fuller about how threat assessment can be deeply rooted in empathy, structure, and restorative practices. Fuller shares his journey from educator to districtwide safety leader, offering a look into…

In this episode of School Safety Today by Raptor Technologies, host Dr. Amy Grosso sits down with Dr. Vincent Iturralde, Chief Operations Officer for North Chicago School District 187. Dr. Iturralde shares insights from his educational journey, emphasizing the need for schools to update emergency response protocols, strengthen communication systems, and prioritize collaboration over…

In this episode of School Safety Today by Raptor Technologies, host Dr. Amy Grosso interviews Shawn Toadvine, Manager of Student Programs, Client Services, PublicSchoolWORKS. The discussion emphasizes that anonymous reporting is not just a compliance tool, but a critical element in school safety and student well-being. KEY POINTS: Fostering a culture of trust is…