About 125 school resource officers and administrators from across Missouri attended the School Safety Specialist Academy in Ozark to learn about keeping students safe in an AI world.

Safety Concerns

John McDonald, chief operating officer for the Missouri School Boards Association’s Center for Education Safety, said that AI bots can be used to send emergency messages or make inappropriate statements, causing concern in the community.

McDonald emphasized the importance of creating a safe climate and culture in schools, encouraging kids to report concerns, and preparing emergency plans.

Steven Wilbur, a school police officer with Nixa Schools, found the session about AI to be particularly informative, highlighting the companionship aspect of AI and how kids and adults are turning to it as a confidant or outlet.

Officers from various districts, including St. Charles and Potosi, attended the academy, which helps school police officers and officials comply with the terms of Senate Bill 68, a law passed in 2025 that established comprehensive school safety mandates.

Original reporting: Springfield Daily Citizen — read the source article.