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The Importance of Coordinated Communications

Cover Story

The Importance of Coordinated Communications

Educators are challenged with not only educating children but also guiding them safely into successful adulthood.

They Are Only Human

They Are Only Human

For reasons both good and bad, we are living with a heightened security awareness that has changed how educational organizations equip and operate their campuses.



Protecting Campuses from the Inside Out

Many of today’s incidents, including cyberattacks and violent intruders, are devised by those with trusted access to school campuses, networks, and facilities.

Intelligent Infrastructure For A Smarter Campus

Schools and universities are increasingly the targets of both physical threats and cyberattacks.

Five Ways Technology Can Forge a Safer Campus

Five Ways Technology Can Forge a Safer Campus

The conclusion of the last academic year likely is not one college safety and administrative officials will add to an industry honor roll anytime soon.

Technology and School Security

Technology and School Security

With 18 reported school shootings since January 2018, there has understandably been a focus on keeping students and staff safe.

Virginia Awards $1.2 Million in Grants For School Security Staff

Virginia Awards $1.2 Million in Grants For School Security Staff

The Virginia state government has allotted the money to 33 mostly rural municipalities throughout Virginia, to fund the hiring of security staff.

K-9 Safety Sweeps Introduced at Norwalk Schools

K-9 Safety Sweeps Introduced at Norwalk Schools

Chief of School Operations Frank Costanzo sent a letter to parents on Sept. 18 detailing that several police officers and dogs could be present during upcoming safety checks on campuses.

Pittsburgh School District Prioritizes Access Control

Pittsburgh School District Prioritizes Access Control

New safety and security coordinator Joe Kozarian said he is currently assessing district safety and that improving access control on campuses is a priority. He stressed the importance of building up “layers."

New Ohio High School Designed with Security in Mind

New Ohio High School Designed with Security in Mind

The new school will feature cameras, panic buttons, a security vestibule, and an electronic map of the school accessible by police.

Tennessee Awards $35 Million to School Districts to Improve Safety and Security

Tennessee Awards $35 Million to School Districts to Improve Safety and Security

Districts have used funds to make improvements such as enhanced door locks, better visitor screening procedures and shatter-resistant glass. Many districts also used the grants to fund salaries for school counselors and child psychologist in order to improve mental health services for students.

Austin School Districts Use Bond Funds to Improve Safety

Austin School Districts Use Bond Funds to Improve Safety

Bob Cervi, Austin ISD executive director of construction management and facilities, said the district is working with architects, engineers and district police to ensure the latest and greatest in safety is included in their new and renovated campuses.

Abilene ISD Introduces Crisis Alert App

Abilene ISD Introduces Crisis Alert App

Teachers can use CrisisGo to communicate alerts simultaneously to other teachers on campus as well as staff members, local law enforcement and first responders, according to AISD Safety and Security Coordinator Dan Cottner.

Hospital Reviews Security After Fake Doctor Caught

Hospital Reviews Security After Fake Doctor Caught

Security at every level, from keycards to cameras, was deemed “not fit for purpose” following repeated trespasses by the same individual posing as staff over a six month period.

Albuquerque Schools Train Teachers on New Active Shooter Protocol

Albuquerque Schools Train Teachers on New Active Shooter Protocol

Instead of the traditional lockdown and shelter-in-place protocol for an active shooter incident, APS will now be applying the ALICE system: “alert, lockdown, inform, counter and evacuate.” ALICE has been introduced to 3,700 school districts and is more proactive than the traditional response.

Idaho School District Adds Unarmed Security Aides

Idaho School District Adds Unarmed Security Aides

Before school began in mid-August, the new security aides trained with a student resource officer on protocols and expectations for working on campus. Next month, the security aides will undergo active shooter training led by the Twin Falls Police Department.

New Tech Increases School Bus Safety for Students and Drivers

New Tech Increases School Bus Safety for Students and Drivers

The Tyler Drive pairs with the Traversa Ride 360 app and includes features like a GPS that allows each school bus to be tracked and a list of student names and addresses so drivers can better keep tabs on who is riding on their bus.

Houston Schools Launch New “Be Nice” Program for Bullying Prevention

Houston Schools Launch New “Be Nice” Program for Bullying Prevention

Research suggests even this simple training can have positive effects on school climate

California School District to Launch Mass Notification App

California School District to Launch Mass Notification App

A major function of the app will send students, parents, and staff push notifications during emergencies.

Increase in Security for Canadian Psychiatric Hospital

Increase in Security for Canadian Psychiatric Hospital

Colony Farm Forensic Psychiatric Hospital is receiving increased security, staffing, and training, following violence against staff.

Richland Community College to Establish Own Police Force

The current security staff cannot arrest and transport people to the Macon County Jail and does not have crisis situation training. Richland officials hope that the Public Safety Department will strengthen the school’s ability to handle on-campus situations.

California School Board Considers Electronic Locks

California School Board Considers Electronic Locks

In March, Rancho Santa Fe School District limited access to entrance points on campus and formed a Safety Advisory Committee of parents, teachers, classified staff, administrators, board member Sarah Neal, and RSF Community Center Director Linda Durket.

Hawaii Department of Education to Release Bullying App

Hawaii Department of Education to Release Bullying App

The Hawaii Department of Education is fighting bullying with a smartphone application and more.

Columbia University Introduces Fire Guards to Campus

Columbia University Introduces Fire Guards to Campus

Following a string of false alarms, Columbia has stationed public safety officers in the East Campus residence hall.

DPS to Help Patrol Texas School for the Deaf’s Campus

DPS to Help Patrol Texas School for the Deaf’s Campus

Armed DPS troopers are now on-site at the campus multiple times a day, getting to know the school’s layout, students and staff, according to TSD Superintendent Claire Bugen.

NASRO Introduces National Standards for SROs

NASRO Introduces National Standards for SROs

NASRO has created recommended national standards and best practices for school resource officer (SRO) programs

Illinois Schools Install Blue Emergency Boxes

Illinois Schools Install Blue Emergency Boxes

Worried about gun violence, 20 Illinois schools install emergency boxes that notify police.

Texas School District Increases Security Presence on Campus

Texas School District Increases Security Presence on Campus

Lake Travis ISD schools will see more troopers on campus this year.

Student Shot at Alabama Elementary School

Student Shot at Alabama Elementary School

Superintendent Christy Finley said the shooting took place in a restroom, and the involved students are in second grade. The gun was immediately taken into custody and the gym teacher sought medical treatment for the student who was injured, Finley said.

New Jersey School Security Program Suspended Pending Investigation

New Jersey School Security Program Suspended Pending Investigation

Palisades Park schools suspends security program and calls for investigation into the hiring of security guards.

Featured

  • Black Hills State University Takes an Open, Scalable Approach to Video Security

    Black Hills State University recognized the need for a centralized video system to improve campus security and streamline operations. The university sought a solution that could unify its main campus with a satellite location, enable cross-department access, and scale with future growth. By implementing open platform video technology, BHSU laid the foundation for a comprehensive, flexible, and scalable security infrastructure. Read Now

  • Pennsylvania School Uses Locked, Rolling Security Grille to Control Spectators, Secure Building

    St. Jude School in Mountain Top, Pennsylvania, is a private Catholic elementary school that serves students from Pre-K through grade 8. Recognized as a Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education, St. Jude offers diverse educational programs designed to foster a nurturing and challenging learning environment, and extracurricular activities like sports are an integral part of promoting teamwork, discipline, and physical fitness. Read Now

  • Fire-Rated Glazing Assemblies Modernize Academic and Social Hub

    In spring 2023, the University of Pittsburgh opened the doors to a seven-story west wing addition to Alan Magee Scaife Hall. The medical school building features several updated lecture halls, labs and classrooms. It also includes team-based learning and small group rooms as well as an entire floor dedicated to medical students. This floor is meant for students to congregate, study and build community. Read Now

  • Access Control Trends Continue to Strengthen School Safety Security

    Class period bells have been ringing across campuses for a few months now, but that doesn’t mean the subject of safety was fully settled before the start of the new school year. As one wise person once said, “It’s a journey, not a destination”. That’s why it remains a leading issue among administrators, faculty, students, and communities. Schools are striving to be at the top of their class when it comes to the ability to control access instantly and securely, monitor suspicious behavior accurately and consistently, and respond to threats immediately and effectively. Ultimately, they aim to provide a reassuring, comfortable, and conducive environment for a rich learning experience. These goals apply whether at a community college in Southern California, a major university in Pennsylvania, or a rural K-12 district in Michigan. Read Now

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