Student safety remains a top priority in the school system and officials are working to make it even easier to report any potential problems in the community, no matter where they happen.

The Board of Education and Southington Police Department today launched a brand new tool, the anonymous safety tip-line, designed to let residents from throughout the community report a wide variety of concerns regarding both Southington schools and area children.

The line will allow area residents to contact officials anonymously regarding any suspicious activity on school campuses, suspected problems anywhere in the community involving children, drug problems (although the anonymous drug tip-line is recommended) and more.

“We are always interested in opportunities that make community and schools safer for kids,” said Board of Education Chairman Brian Goralski. “It’s not just for kids and their families. If anyone drives by a school and sees something that doesn’t look right, or knows of any situation where kids are being unsafe, they are encouraged to call.”

The tip-line is just the latest in a number of new initiatives and policies designed to make the schools a “safe and caring place to learn.” As many other districts have over the past several months, Southington schools have developed a new set of rules to combat bullying in public schools.

School Superintendent Joseph V. Erardi Jr. said he’s excited about the new program and hopes people will be willing to use the line.

“The safety tipline, in partnership with the Southington Police Department, assures all of anonymity and allows our district to be proactive with student and staff safety,” Erardi said. “I am really pleased that we will launch the line on Monday.”

The line can be reached at (860) 637-2006. Residents will hear the following message:

“You have reached the Southington Public Schools Safety Tip Line. Please leave a message regarding your concern. Messages will be checked during regular office hours Monday through Friday. Your concern will be forwarded to the appropriate administrator before the close of the day on which it is heard. If this is an emergency, please hang up and contact the Southington Police Department at 911 or (860) 621-0101. Thank you for contacting the Southington Public Schools Safety Tip Line.”