School security isn’t just about locked doors and cameras. It’s about anticipating threats before they happen and making sure every person on campus knows exactly what to do when the unexpected occurs.
“Too many districts wait until something happens to start making changes,” said school safety consultant Katherine Drenth. “By then, you’ve already lost valuable time.”
The districts that get it right follow a clear progression: they take a hard, honest look at their current safety posture, turn those insights into a realistic funding plan, and invest in technology that helps—not hinders—staff in a crisis.
From Self-Assessment to Shared Responsibility
“When your own people do the assessment, they’re more invested in the results,” Drenth said. “It stops being a compliance exercise and becomes a shared responsibility.”
A proper school safety assessment is more than ticking boxes on a form. It’s an unflinching look at how prepared your campus really is—covering physical security, surveillance coverage, staff readiness, and communication protocols. The purpose is simple: identify weaknesses before they become dangerous.
In many cases, failures have little to do with lacking the latest gear. More often, it’s the basics that get overlooked—like not assigning someone to oversee security systems, skipping maintenance, or failing to train staff for real-world scenarios.
Free tools like the CISA K-12 School Security Survey can jumpstart the process. They not only save money but also encourage collaboration between administrators, facilities, IT staff, and educators—bringing a 360-degree view to the security conversation.
Making Technology Work for You
Of course, technology is often the most visible part of a safety plan—but visibility alone won’t keep anyone safe. The real power comes when systems are chosen, integrated, and managed so they actually make people’s jobs easier in a high-pressure moment.
“The smartest systems aren’t necessarily the newest or most expensive,” said Adam Benson of Salient Systems. “They’re the ones that integrate with what you already have and can grow as your needs change.”
The most effective platforms have three things in common:
- Interoperability – cameras, access control, alarms, and communication tools all talking to each other
- Adaptability – the ability to grow and evolve without a total system overhaul
- User Confidence – so intuitive that staff can use it instinctively during a crisis
Even the most advanced technology won’t help if people don’t know how to use it—or worse, are afraid to. That’s why clear responsibilities, regular drills, and reliable vendor partnerships are just as important as the system itself. “If people aren’t comfortable using the tools,” Drenth warned, “they won’t use them when it counts.”
Turning Gaps into Funding Wins
An honest assessment isn’t just a to-do list—it’s a funding blueprint. The more clearly you can connect a gap to a specific risk, the stronger your case for grants, bonds, or local investment.
“A good assessment doesn’t just show you what’s wrong—it gives you the evidence you need to get it funded,” Benson said.
The best evaluations cover every layer of safety:
- Physical Security – locks, lighting, fencing, and visitor controls
- Technology – cameras, alarms, communications
- Protocols – lockdown and evacuation plans, drills
- Staff Readiness – training, role clarity, comfort with tools
- Community Coordination – partnerships with first responders
By mapping each gap to a funding source and phasing improvements over time, districts can avoid the “all or nothing” trap. “You don’t have to do it all at once,” Benson said. “Break it into stages, tie each stage to measurable improvements, and you’re more likely to secure ongoing support.”
Lessons from the Field
In Michigan, East Jordan Public Schools used a DHS vulnerability survey to build a phased security plan tied to multiple funding streams. By combining federal SVPP grants, state education funds, and local dollars, they tackled urgent fixes immediately while scheduling major upgrades over time.
The result? A fully integrated system linking video, alarms, vape detection sensors, PA systems, digital maps, and CrisisGo alerts. “Now, if something happens, first responders can access the exact video they need within seconds,” Drenth said. “That changes the whole equation in an emergency.”
In another district, a funding gap threatened to stall upgrades. Instead, leaders created a three-year roadmap, blending quick, high-impact fixes—like upgraded door hardware—with long-term projects. They even brought in a grant writer whose fee was more than covered by the awards they won.
“Schools sometimes think they need one big check to fix everything,” Drenth said. “But the most successful ones chip away, phase by phase, using every resource they can.”
Remote Access: A New Advantage
For rural or multi-campus districts, modern VMS platforms now offer secure, role-based remote access without the headaches of VPNs or firewall changes. That means law enforcement can get the exact camera view they need—fast.
“Giving law enforcement a secure link during an incident saves time, and in a crisis, time is everything,” Benson said. Temporary, time-limited sharing keeps privacy intact while speeding up response.
Building a Lasting Culture of Safety
Ultimately, safety isn’t a project you finish—it’s a culture you maintain. It starts with looking honestly at your risks, turns those findings into action, and invests in systems people can actually use when it matters most.
“Safety isn’t a destination,” Drenth said. “It’s a culture you build over time.”
With ownership of the process, phased improvements, and staff who feel confident in their tools, schools can turn vulnerabilities into opportunities—and keep the focus where it belongs: on learning.
