Bell & paging upgrade checklist.

Audit what you have

1. List every building, wing, portable and outdoor area that needs to hear bells and pages.
2. Note what works, what is unreliable, and where announcements cannot be heard (gyms, cafeterias, playgrounds).
3. Record existing speakers, wiring, head-end equipment and phone system integration.

Define what the system must do

1. Bell schedules, including late starts, testing days and multiple schedules per building.
2. All-call and zone paging (one wing, one building, outdoors only).
3. Two-way classroom call-in to the office.
4. Emergency messages and lockdown announcements that are clear and fast.
5. Integration with your phone system, clocks, and classroom audio.

Safety and emergency notification

1. Involve your safety team and local first responders early.
2. Review federal guidance on school emergency communication at SchoolSafety.gov.
3. Check whether your state or a grant program has requirements for emergency notification technology.

Install and cut over

1. Schedule work for breaks or after hours to avoid disrupting class.
2. Confirm cabling paths, power and network requirements.
3. Test every zone and classroom call button before go-live, and keep the old system until the new one passes.

Train and maintain

1. Train office staff on schedules, zones and emergency pages.
2. Document who can change bell schedules.
3. Set a support plan for repairs and updates.

Funding for emergency notification technology may be available; see our funding guide.

Questions? Haddock Education Technologies can walk you through it. Call (316) 558-3849 or contact us.

Sources

• SchoolSafety.gov
• COPS Office: School Violence Prevention Program (allowable uses include technology for expedited notification of law enforcement)