WISCONSIN — In the wake of the recent school shooting in Georgia that killed two students and two teachers, Wisconsin’s Department of Justice is increasing awareness about a newer campaign called Speak Up, Speak Out. 

Its goal is to encourage people, especially students and school staff, to report potential threats.

Gina Aguglia is Madison Metropolitan School District’s director of Cross-System’s and Critical Response. Her role is one of two in MMSD’s Office of School Safety. 

She works with school-based critical response teams around any critical incidents that happen at schools within the district. Those critical response teams consist of principals, psych social workers, counselors, nurses and support staff.  

“The safety and security of our students and staff is our top priority,” she said. “We have lots of different ways kids can report, as well as staff.”

Aguglia cited an anonymous tip line that the Department of Justice Office of School Safety utilizes for the state.  

“We also rely heavily on our solid relationships with students and teachers, students and their support staff, students and principals so that students feel comfortable talking to a trusted adult at school,” she said.

MMSD, like most school districts across Wisconsin, started fall semester on Tuesday, Sept. 4. Aguglia said her message to MMSD students, staff, parents and families is that “we all own school safety.”   

“We rely on everyone, including community members and parents, to think through safety measures when it comes to coming to school,” she said. “Thinking about things like people visiting the school, ensuring that our access control systems are all set up and that we have good strategies for responding to incidents quickly.”

Aguglia also touted MMSD’s strong relationship with the Madison Police Department and the ability to connect with officers on situations that rise to the level of needing extra support.