Case Study: Placerville Union School District achieves streamlined, automated emergency preparedness with Avaya

Placerville Union School District Sets a New Standard for Emergency Preparedness

Placerville Union School District, a K–8 district in Northern California with three schools and about 150 staff, faced urgent safety gaps after a 2011 incident exposed limitations in its emergency communications: an antiquated bell system, restricted staff access to alerts, and no integrated mass-notification capability. Technology coordinator Judi Whittington prioritized modernizing communications to ensure faster, clearer responses during crises.

Working with Avaya and Valcom, the district deployed an integrated, automated system in about six months—desk-mounted switches to trigger alerts and automated calls, classroom-phone lockdown activation, customized bell and superintendent messages, and LED 9‑1‑1 notifications. The new solution makes emergency response as simple as “flipping a switch,” improved preparedness and control for staff, and has given the community greater peace of mind and emotional recovery from past trauma.

Placerville Union School District

Judi Whittington

Technology Coordinator