However, ensuring safety and security in a school district is not an open-the-box, setup, and walk-away task. It is a critical duty with no deadline and no end.
Those who oversee safety and security protocols for a school district must recognize how the dynamics of a school environment evolve over the course of a school year. That requires a proactive and adaptable approach to safety and security.
When I conduct school safety and security assessments, I visit a school three to six times during the year. Because so many factors affect the safety landscape, I note something different each time. When surveying your schools, here are some common factors to consider.
Student Population Changes. New enrollments or transfers can change the number of students in a school throughout the year. These changes may affect facility occupancy, classroom assignments, and emergency evacuation procedures. Example: The outdoor eating area has moved to accommodate attendance changes and now requires a new exit plan and path.
Social Dynamics. As the school year progresses, student relationships and group dynamics can shift. Example: As children mature during the school year, they make new friends and enemies. This factor may influence the need for and positioning of campus safety officers or campus supervisors.
Seasonal Changes. Seasonal changes can bring weather-related challenges. Examples: Storms, flooding, or extreme temperatures may require adjusting exit plans or moving outdoor recess inside during heat waves. Roof leaks may require classrooms to shift.
Community and External Factors. Events in the local community or broader society—such as a protest, demonstration, or incident in the neighborhood—can heighten security needs. Examples: Recent court decisions and ongoing wars have sparked protests in some communities that spill over onto school campuses. “TikTok challenges” exemplify how social media can influence what happens in the school community.
Technology and Infrastructure.
Advancements in surveillance systems, access control, and communication tools may require adjustments. Examples: Facial recognition software may require repositioning of cameras. When renovating school buildings, parking areas, gates, or other structures, the construction period may require temporary adjustments to security measures while the finished work is evaluated.
Health and Wellness. Hygiene, social distancing, and health monitoring may need to be implemented or adjusted in response to public health concerns. Examples: The COVID-19 pandemic response by school districts and the current focus on mental health support for students and staff affect the security plan.
Policy and Legislative Changes. Let’s not forget all the hands in the education policy bag. Examples: Changes in local, state, or federal laws may require adjustments to existing protocols to ensure compliance. Turnover in the board of education may change the district’s focus and strategy.
Training and Awareness. Checking training logs and following up with school sites are necessary to make sure that training has been completed. Example: Training sessions provide valuable feedback opportunities that may uncover areas for improvement in safety protocols.
Each School Is Unique
These are just a few samples of the many factors that affect school safety and security. Although it may feel overwhelming, do not feel alone in this duty. Work with your school site administration; communication is as important as observation. Talk with the principal and visit some classrooms to speak with teachers and students; talk with campus security, custodians, and office staff as well. Observe lunch and recess, and don’t forget entry and dismissal times.
Each school visit provides valuable information on what has happened since your last visit. This type of information gathering is important for continuity and underscores how each school site is unique and has different needs.
An elementary school with declining enrollment is very different from one operating at capacity. Although they may be the same size, their approaches are very different.
In a previous column, we talked about the need to be proactive and prepared. This column concludes with a reminder that we should be adaptable and have a mindset of continuous improvement. By acknowledging these factors and implementing measures to address them, school business officials play a crucial role in supporting a safe and secure learning environment for all members of the school community. As the academic year progresses, the commitment to ensuring the well-being of students, staff, and faculty remains ongoing and unwavering.