Customer Stories
ORGANIZATION: East Jordan Public Schools
LOCATION: Michigan
Building a Smarter, Safer Campus with Salient Systems
East Jordan Public Schools (EJPS), a rural district in Michigan, faced a familiar but critical challenge—enhancing school safety and emergency preparedness while operating within the constraints of aging infrastructure and tight budgets.
Under the leadership of School Safety Coordinator and Consultant Kathy Drenth, EJPS sought a modern, integrated security solution that could leverage their existing technology investments while supporting a future-ready approach to campus safety. Their search led to a trusted and flexible partner in Salient Systems.
Challenge
Although EJPS had solid safety procedures in place—such as lockdown drills and emergency operation plans—the district struggled with consistent execution due to limited technology capabilities. Their door access and surveillance systems were disjointed, aging, and in some cases underutilized. Communication breakdowns during drills and minor incidents highlighted a need for systems that could provide real-time alerts, reliable video monitoring, and streamlined coordination with local law enforcement.
“Safety isn’t a destination,” Drenth said. “It’s a culture you build over time.”
Solution
Drenth and her team began by conducting a self-assessment using a free tool from the Department of Homeland Security. This comprehensive review exposed the district’s security gaps and served as a strategic foundation for setting goals and writing grants. Importantly, the results helped Drenth build internal support for change and justify funding requests by providing data-backed insights.
Rather than replacing everything, EJPS focused on maximizing what they already had. They sought a solution that could preserve existing camera and door hardware, support integrations with access control, vape detection, and visitor management, and scale over time. Salient’s open-platform video management system, CompleteView, stood out for its flexibility, ease of use, and the company’s commitment to tailoring solutions to EJPS’s needs.
Implementation
To avoid overwhelming staff, the rollout was structured as a three-year, grant-funded deployment.
- Phase 1 addressed immediate upgrades,
- Phase 2 introduced new integrations, and
- Phase 3 finalized training and adoption across all campuses.
Training was strategically targeted to administrators, secretaries, and operations directors—key users who needed to feel confident with the system. This phased approach allowed time for feedback, adjustment, and long-term buy-in.
The transition was further supported by Salient’s cloud capabilities, which allowed remote monitoring. Drenth herself monitored campus cameras from afar—even while vacationing in Costa Rica—illustrating how CompleteView provided not just technical functionality, but personal peace of mind.
Results
The impact of the Salient implementation was immediate and far-reaching. Day-to-day situational awareness improved significantly. Secretaries and principals began using the platform regularly for everything from locating lost backpacks to investigating behavioral incidents. Drenth and school resource officers could now quickly verify alerts, such as door props, before deciding whether to dispatch law enforcement.
Crucially, EJPS enhanced its collaboration with local emergency services. Police and 911 dispatch centers were granted secure access to live video feeds, allowing them to monitor events in real time and coordinate more effective responses. In one case, school cameras helped identify a person of interest involved in community crime near school grounds.
The district also succeeded in securing significant funding, including a $485,000 federal COPS grant, using insights from their self-assessment. This data-driven approach helped EJPS articulate its vision and gain financial support from state, local, and federal sources. Other school districts now visit East Jordan to learn from their safety leadership and implementation strategy.
Why Salient?
Drenth credits Salient’s partnership approach as a key differentiator. Unlike vendors who simply delivered prepackaged solutions, Salient worked alongside the district to tailor and evolve the platform based on real-world needs. Whether building custom integrations or refining features like real-time video scrubbing, Salient demonstrated a commitment to customer success. As Drenth put it, ‘They didn’t just sell a system—they helped us build a solution.’
Lessons Learned
One of the most important takeaways from EJPS’s journey is the value of ownership. By conducting their own vulnerability assessments, the district took control of the process, which led to more meaningful planning and outcomes. Integration also emerged as a critical factor—monitoring multiple systems from a single platform saved staff time and reduced risk.
Equally important was the human element. Drenth emphasized that technology alone does not solve problems—people do. Training, support, and clarity of roles were vital to successful implementation. Schools must also define their vision clearly before pursuing funding opportunities. A compelling, well-supported plan attracts investment far more effectively than vague aspirations.
Looking Ahead
EJPS continues to innovate, working toward full integration across all buildings and exploring AI-based features such as object and person tracking. As the district refines its security practices, Salient remains a trusted ally—responsive, adaptable, and committed to ensuring East Jordan’s campuses remain secure, connected, and prepared for whatever comes next.