On stormy days, schools may consider dismissing students early, but how do you get that message to all parents at once? One Eastern Kentucky school system is finding a way to keep everyone informed at a moments notice.

School administrators at Harlan Independent want their messages to be heard loud and clear.

"We've heard of other districts across the state who've tried it and been successful at it," said Harlan Independent School Superintendent David Johnson.

It's called "Community Safe" and it allows school systems to send phone messages directly to parents.

"An administrator can make a phone call, the program will notify all our staff and families within a matter of minutes," Johnson said.

It's mainly designed for things like school closings and delays that are made overnight or during the school day.

"And it's just a quicker, more effective way of getting a hold of folks rather than depending on them to listen to the radio or some other means," Johnson said.

"In situations where parents need to know what's going on with their children, it would be a wonderful outlet to have a call at home or whatever number they put down," said Parent Missy Bianchi.

And in rare situations where student safety may be in question, school administrators hope to keep parents informed so they don't panic.

"You're not gonna be tempted to just run up and check your child out of school if you know first hand what they're talking about," Bianchi said.

School officials hope to have the system in place at Harlan Independent Schools in about a month.

Some other school systems are already using the notification system. We asked a state education official about a statewide system but they say there's simply not enough money in the state budget right now for that.