Ensuring the safety of our students and staff remains a top priority at Aurora Public Schools. Thanks to the $1 billion 2024 Bond Program approved by Aurora voters in November, APS is making significant safety upgrades across the district. These investments will enhance security measures and provide an increased peace of mind for our students, families, staff and community.
This summer, our Construction Management Support and Maintenance & Operations teams will begin implementing these critical safety upgrades and enhancements.
Enhanced Public Address Systems
One improvement on the docket is updating public address (PA) systems, which are a vital communication tool at every school. PA systems ensure clear and immediate messaging during emergencies, enhance accessibility for the hearing impaired, and strengthen communication between school staff, students and families.
Thanks to a $2 million grant from the Colorado Office of School Safety, and supplemental funding provided by the bond, APS will enhance emergency notification systems at Aurora Central, Gateway and Rangeview high schools. The new system uses an Internet Protocol network to transmit audio, offering flexibility and scalability for announcements to be broadcast across a
network with just a single click of a button.
Kevin Childs, APS director of safety and security, said these updates will improve communication during safety incidents. This initiative showcases our commitment to creating learning environments that are safe and conducive to helping students and staff thrive.
“One of the most important aspects to consider in an emergency crisis is how we are going to alert and warn others,” Childs explained. “Try to think of what you would want our students and staff to hear [during a crisis]. We’d want someone who is calm, yet assertive, to give clear instructions on what needs to be done. Rather than having school leaders do this, the APS Security Department will now be able to provide instructions over the PA systems. This allows school leaders to just push a button so they can shift their attention to making sure their building is safe.”
New digital signage will also be installed to notify individuals outside the school of potential threats, preventing unauthorized entry. In classrooms, a combination of speaker/LED units will provide visual and auditory alerts, ensuring accessibility for all. The signs will have multiple color LEDs that will reflect most of the Standard Response Protocol emergency colors, further strengthening safety measures and improving emergency response efficiency across our schools. Similar enhancements will also be implemented at APS middle schools.
Upgraded Fire Alarm Systems
This summer, APS will also upgrade fire alarm systems at several schools, including Aurora Central, Aurora West College Preparatory Academy and Rangeview.
According to APS Life Safety Systems Manager Damon Clark, Aurora Central’s fire alarm system is at the end of its lifespan. He also noted that many of the district’s current configurations are original systems and not compatible with the updated technology network design. The new fire alarm systems will include voice-enabled alerts, now required in schools, ensuring compliance with updated safety codes and enhancing emergency response capabilities.
Commitment to Safe Learning Environments
Safety is at the heart of our strategic plan, Destination APS. In APS, students need to feel physically and psychologically safe in order to thrive academically, socially and emotionally. These bond-funded safety improvements and enhancements reflect our commitment to creating safe and supportive learning environments.
For more information about our 2024 Bond Program, visit bond.aurorak12.org.