FOXBORO - In the aftermath of four recent school lockdowns, school officials say they expect to buy 25 walkie-talkies to increase communication among schools and police during emergencies.

School officials and police also are exploring automated call systems to alert parents about such incidents.

Officials hope to have both the radios and the automated call technology in place for the start of the next school year in September.

Threats prompted four lockdowns - three at Foxboro High School and one at the Ahern Middle School - over a three-day period, from May 1 to May 3.

Police have charged a 16 year old in the May 1 incident at Foxboro High. Acting Superintendent Jan Norton told the school committee Monday night that school officials and police have discussed procedures since the incidents.

"Overwhelmingly, we agreed we need to do a better job with the communication system, not only with the parents but also ourselves," Norton said.

Police Chief Edward O'Leary said the response will be two-pronged.

Police and school officials are discussing options for upgrading the schools' emergency radios to reduce dead spots.

With the current system, "the police couldn't hear what the administrators were saying," Norton said.

"It's dangerous for my staff when they're inside buildings that don't have that coverage," O'Leary said.

Deputy Emergency Management Agency Director Richard Wright, a radio expert, estimates the cost of new radios and repeaters would be about $30,000, O'Leary said.

Norton said the 25 new walkie-talkies would be distributed as follows: three at each elementary school, five each at Ahern Middle School and Foxboro High School and six at the central administrative office.

If an intruder "incapacitated somebody with a radio, we can turn that radio off and continue to use the system," Norton said.

Improving communication with parents is another priority. "When people don't have any information at all, there's a tendency to create rumors that take on a life of their own," O'Leary said.

O'Leary and school officials are looking at telephone notification systems.

Some area communities have Reverse 911, which makes quick, automated calls to residents about emergencies or other incidents.