March, 2026
Curious how many people saw the newspaper headline and immediately started reading the article…
Only to realize a few moments later that the newspaper story about the DLIBY School District (Don’t Let It Be Your School District) was AI-generated.
While you won’t find this particular article on the internet or in print (other than in this LinkedIn post), the headline itself reflects a very real risk that school districts face when a safety or security incident results in civil litigation.
In those moments, every decision, policy, training, and system may be scrutinized.
Those tasked with leading school safety, security, and emergency preparedness efforts must have a deep understanding of their district’s safety ecosystem to ensure it is not only present, but thriving.
School leaders should be able to clearly articulate:
• The foundation of their safety program.
• The framework guiding policies and procedures.
• The ecosystem of relationships, training, systems, and partnerships that support it.
Because when litigation occurs, the individual responsible for these areas, often designated as the Person Most Knowledgeable (PMK), will be asked to explain it all under oath.
Clarity matters.
Preparation matters.
Understanding the system matters.
The last headline any school district wants to see is one suggesting that the Person Most Knowledgeable… isn’t.
A secured school perimeter is only effective when operational practices maintain its integrity. This case highlights how opening an unattended gate before dismissal can create serious school safety, security, and standard-of-care concerns.
