Bomb Incident Report, Dr. Klinger Cited by the AP

"Schools are in a really bad position," said researcher Amy Klinger, of the nonprofit Educator's School Safety Network. "People are going to be mad if you evacuate; people are going to be upset if you don't evacuate."

The number of school bomb threats the last academic year alone, based on media reports, was at least 1,267, roughly twice as many as in 2012-13, said Klinger, who also teaches educational administration at Ohio's Ashland University.

Her group estimates there were about eight bomb threats per school day last year, and that doesn't include other threats of violence and disruption. Massachusetts had the most in that tally at 135 bomb threats, followed by Ohio with 96."

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Bomb Incident Report Quoted in Herald-Dispatch

"But those responses take a toll, and the threats are coming at a faster pace in recent years, according to Amy Klinger, a researcher with the nonprofit Educator's School Safety Network. Although there is no formal tracking mechanism for all threats of violence involving schools, the number of school bomb threats across the country in the 2015-16 academic school year totaled at least 1,267, based on media reports. That's about twice as many as were tallied three years earlier, she said. And that doesn't count the number of other types of violent threats, such as threatened shootings.But those responses take a toll, and the threats are coming at a faster pace in recent years, according to Amy Klinger, a researcher with the nonprofit Educator's School Safety Network. Although there is no formal tracking mechanism for all threats of violence involving schools, the number of school bomb threats across the country in the 2015-16 academic school year totaled at least 1,267, based on media reports. That's about twice as many as were tallied three years earlier, she said. And that doesn't count the number of other types of violent threats, such as threatened shootings."

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Bomb Incident Report Cited by Washington Post

"According to the nonprofit Educator’s School Safety Network, which tallies media reports, there were at least 1,267 bomb threats in schools across the country during the last academic year, roughly twice as many as in 2012-2013. That works out to about eight bomb threats per school day last year, researcher Amy Klinger said."

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Final Bomb Incident Report for the 2015-2016 School Year Completed

School-based bomb threats are increasing at an alarming rate according to a well-known national school safety expert who just completed extensive research on bomb threat incidents.

School safety expert Dr. Amy Klinger says her research over the last 18 months shows a dramatic increase in school-based bomb threat incidents both over the last few years and specifically during the 2015-16 academic year.

“While incidents have been gradually increasing since 2012, in the 2015-2016 school year U.S. schools experienced 1,267 bomb threats, an increase of 158 percent compared to that same time period in 2012-2013, and an increase of 1,461% since November 2011.” Klinger said. The report found that all 50 states and several US territories experienced bomb threats this past school year. “While this report focuses on United States schools, our data indicates that this is an international phenomena as well, with school-related bomb incidents occurring at an increased rate in virtually every continent in more than 22 different countries this school year alone.”

The study also found that in addition to an average of 7.77 bomb threats per day this past school year alone, four explosive devices were found in schools, and one detonation occurred in a school. As a new school year begins, Klinger predicts a continued increase in bomb threats, as “the number of bomb incidents in the month of September increased 307% from 2012 – 2014, with an average of 84 bomb threats occurring every October, which means this isn’t just a spring problem, it’s a year round concern.”

Klinger is the Director of Programs for the Educator’s School Safety Network, a national non-profit school safety organization based in Ohio. She also serves as associate professor of educational administration at Ashland University in Ashland, Ohio.

“The vast majority of media reports related to school safety this school year have been about bomb threats,” Klinger said. “Our research indicates that bomb threats are currently a daily occurrence in schools.”

Her non-profit, Educator’s School Safety Network (ESSN), believes it is critical to move from mere speculation on this issue to actual facts and data. “We have compiled the most current information on bomb incidents in America’s schools to determine the scope and severity of the bomb incident problem, and it is significant.” she said.


“Based on our analysis of bomb threat data and trends, the sobering reality is that an explosive device will be detonated in an American school, and we must be ready,” Klinger said. “The question that must be considered is not ‘if’ an explosive device will be detonated in a school but rather ‘when.’

India's Mentor Magazine Features ESSN Work

The work of the Educator's School Safety Network is featured in the April 2016 issue of Mentor magazine, India's most respected journal for school leadership, principals and educators.  The article, entitled "Emerging Issues in School Safety" discusses some of the critical issues facing schools throughout the world in ensuring the safety of their staff and students. 

Amy and Amanda Klinger Keynote BASA School Facilities and Safety Conference

Dr. Amy Klinger and Amanda Klinger were the keynote speakers at The Buckeye Association of School Administrators School Facilities and Safety Conference on March 9, 2016. The Klingers presented Now What? Critical Concerns for School Safety in a Dangerous World to key decision makers from throughout Ohio. A follow up break-out session in the afternoon provided opportunities for additional discussion and information. 

 



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