A school district in Alabama has become the first in the state to begin implementing a new technology designated to protect teachers and students during active shooter situations.

The technology, called SafeDefend, is "a small box that will be in every room in the Limestone County School System. The device aims to mitigate response time, and protect student life all at the touch of a finger," according to WHNT.com.

The boxes will be available in every classroom and will give each teacher and classroom the opportunity to respond to situations that comprise safety by allowing them to instantly implement an escape and evacuation plan.

"The box uses biometric technology to activate, meaning teachers will use their thumbprint to open the box. The instant the SafeDefend is activated the exact classroom and school location is sent to all local and state first responders. This drastically reduces response time, shaving precious minutes off the arrival of aide," the article said.

The school board also says the boxes contain life-saving contents inside, but have chosen not discuss those contents at this time.

Every school in Limestone County will be equipped with the technology by the end of the first year, costing the school board approximately $350,000.

Limestone County's efforts are a quick response to the re-ignited debate of appropriate school safety methods after last week's shooting at a small Oregon community college that left ten dead.

Recently, presidential candidate Ben Carson prompted support and criticism after supporting armed teachers in schools to increase safety. “'If I had a little kid in kindergarten somewhere, I'd feel much more comfortable if I knew there on that campus there was a police officer or somebody who was trained with a weapon...If the teacher was trained in the use of that weapon and had access to it, I would be much more comfortable if they had one than if they didn't,' Carson said in an extensive interview with USATODAY’s Capital Download," according to WTSP.com.

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Article by Nicole Gorman, Education World Contributor

10/08/2015