A 2019 school lockdown incident in Houston prompted a mother to develop a new classroom security device. Anna Reger, founder of FlipLok, created a simple interior door lock after a conversation with her young daughter revealed the child's inability to secure her classroom door during an emergency.
Key Takeaways
- FlipLok was created by a parent concerned about her child's safety during a school lockdown.
- The device is designed for simplicity, allowing even young children to lock a door and visually confirm it is secure.
- National spending on K-12 school security technology has approached half a billion dollars in the last five years.
- Texas school districts significantly increased safety spending following the 2022 Robb Elementary shooting.
A Personal Motivation for a New Device
The idea for the FlipLok device originated from a personal experience. Anna Reger received a notification that her daughter's elementary school was under lockdown due to a nearby incident. While the threat was not directed at the campus, the event raised serious questions for Reger about classroom safety protocols.
She discussed the situation with her daughter, who explained the teacher's procedure. "'My teacher turns off the light. My teacher locks the door,'" Reger recalled her daughter saying. This led to a critical follow-up question.
"I said, 'Can you lock the door?' And she said, 'No, mommy.' I said, 'How do you know if the door is locked?' And she said, 'I don't, my teacher.'"
Reger then asked what her daughter would do if the teacher was not in the room. "I was waiting for this next action step, and she didn't have one," Reger explained. This conversation highlighted a significant gap in safety procedures and became the catalyst for her to design a solution.
Developing a Simple and Strong Lock
Reger's goal was to create an interior door lock that was intuitive enough for a child to operate and provided a clear visual cue that the door was secured. The result was FlipLok, a device that functions with a simple flipping motion.
"They shut it and just flip it. It's so simple," Reger said of the mechanism. She wanted to provide a tool that could empower students and staff in a crisis, offering a measure of control and peace of mind for parents.
FlipLok Specifications
While Reger noted there is no official industry standard she must meet, she commissioned independent testing for the device. The lock is engineered to withstand over 2,000 pounds of pressure and has also been tested to ensure it can hold against gunfire.
Since its launch in 2023, the device has been adopted in various settings across at least 10 states. Users include schools, hospitals, corporate offices, and even an embassy, demonstrating a broad demand for simple security enhancements.
The Growing Market for School Security
The development of products like FlipLok is part of a rapidly expanding school safety industry. Reger acknowledges she has hundreds of competitors offering different types of lock systems and security solutions.
This growth is reflected in spending data. Research from ABC News and GovSpend indicates that K-12 public schools in the United States have invested nearly $500 million in security infrastructure technology over the past five years.
Spending Trends in Texas
In Texas, spending on school safety saw a dramatic increase following the 2022 shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde. Data shows that annual expenditures rose from a few million dollars in 2020 to nearly $40 million in 2024, highlighting the urgency districts feel to upgrade their security measures.
Despite this surge, funding remains a significant challenge. Officials at Klein Independent School District (ISD) stated that the money received from the state for safety and security covers only 25% of what the district spends annually on these initiatives.
A Multi-Layered Approach to Campus Safety
With a vast market of security products and limited budgets, school districts must carefully evaluate which investments will be most effective. Klein ISD Police Chief Marlon Runnels emphasized the importance of a comprehensive strategy.
"We're very good at sending folks to conferences to see what new technologies are out there, bring that information back so our team can evaluate it," Runnels said. He noted that the list of vendors pitching safety products to districts grows larger each year.
Klein ISD has implemented a multi-layered security system that goes beyond door locks. Some of their investments include:
- Secured Entrances: Newly renovated campuses feature controlled access points.
- Advanced Surveillance: The district uses 360-degree security cameras in hallways for comprehensive monitoring.
- Immediate Alerts: Teachers are equipped with a mobile app to instantly notify authorities of any threat.
- Aerial Support: The district has recently launched a drone program to provide an overhead view during incidents.
- Armed Presence: A campus guard program ensures that armed security officers are present and visible on every campus, including all elementary schools.
Runnels believes that visible and effective security measures are crucial for community confidence. "Sometimes there are products that you can make a sound investment in that when people see it or they know about it, it just makes them feel like you're doing everything you can to keep their kids safe," he stated.