Colorado school to pilot drone system for active shooter response, sparking parental concerns
John Adams Academy in Sterling Ranch will be the first Colorado school to deploy a drone-based active-shooter suppression system, while some parents question the technology and its funding.
John Adams Academy, opening its doors for the 2026-27 year in Sterling Ranch, Colorado, intends to become the state’s first school to field a drone-based active-shooter suppression system supplied by Campus Guardian Angel. The drones, concealed in hallway boxes and piloted remotely from Texas, are meant to provide real-time intelligence and reduce response time to a threat. Headmaster Sarah Kiesewetter emphasized that the technology is part of a multi-layered security plan that also includes interior and exterior cameras and armed teachers.
Parents Kim Carroll and Tiffany Baker expressed unease about drones hovering around young students and questioned whether the $200,000 request complies with open-meeting rules. Douglas County Commissioner Abe Laydon noted the need for further evaluation of the system’s effectiveness before any funds are allocated. A county spokesperson confirmed that the funding request was removed from the July 14 agenda and remains under discussion.
Why it matters
The story highlights how schools are adopting advanced security tools and the community debate over safety versus privacy and public spending.
How the sides frame it
LOW AGREEMENTLeft-leaning coverage highlights the drones as a high-tech deterrent funded as part of broader school-hardening efforts, while centrist coverage focuses on parental unease and procedural questions about the program’s cost, and right-leaning coverage frames the rollout as a notable move by a defense firm to arm schools with non-lethal drones.
LEFT
Frames the drones as a cutting-edge shooter-deterrence tool backed by state funding and part of a larger security investment.
CENTER
Frames the pilot as controversial, stressing parental concerns and questions about the $200,000 spending request and open-meeting compliance.
RIGHT
Frames the initiative as a significant development in which a defense company is arming schools with non-lethal drones.
The left emphasises
- drones can identify an active shooter in about 15 seconds
- pepper-gel and optional ramming to disorient or stop the attacker
- state funds cover similar programs in other states at roughly $20,000 per year per campus
The right emphasises
- defense company is arming schools with drones
- drones can travel up to 50 mph indoors and 100 mph outdoors
- equipped with pepper spray, strobe lights, sirens and glass-breaking devices
In this story