School Security: Working Against Us?

Security guards team up to steal laptops, cell phones, and cash from a Middle School - http://tinyurl.com/6n292o2.
One of the potential weak links in the typical school security program, as ironic as it sounds, is Security Personnel. Whether outsourced or in-house, security personnel are often modestly compensated and untrained.  Think about it... Is the typical security guard, safety monitor, or "rent-a-cop" viewed by administrators, students and staff with R-E-S-P-E-C-T? 
Does it make sense that somebody positioned on the "front line" as a first responder is not certified in CPR/First Aid/AED?  In conducting Limited Scope Performance Testing ("Secret Shopping"), we have found security personnel reading newspapers, ignoring unauthorized visitors, snacking in storage rooms, etc.  Who is holding them accountable?
Should we be surprised by this story? Not until we make some changes at the top! 
I recommend making security effectiveness part of an administrator's performance evaluation. UNTIL that happens, schools will continue to foster a culture of security as a necessary evil.  Security personnel will be marginalized and produce to the level of low expectations UNTIL there is a legitimate change in the view from the top.
We need security.  Let's act like it!

School Security Depends on Effective Access Control

Princeton High School Near Miss -

Take a look at the follow-up access control measures that Princeton High School is implementing in the wake of the near-miss gun incident last week - http://www.newstrib.com/articles/news/nci/default.asp?article=30888&aname=Princeton+High+increases+security+after+shotgun+incident.

Those new access control measures (i.e. closed campus, visitor management, IDs on lanyards) should be SOPs for all schools!

Don't wait for an incident to occur! Be proactive and address your access control issues now!

Please share your experiences and ideas here or on out facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Paul-Timm-PSP/122272757334.

Recently I presented a School Security Seminar in Kansas, near the border of Missouri. In attendance was a safety coordinator from the Joplin Schools - Jim Hounschell. As a reminder, Joplin, MO was devasted by a tornado this year on Sunday, 05/22.

When asked to relate an important "lesson learned," this was Jim's response.

"We, for literally decades, have pulled students out of classrooms and placed them in the hallways during severe weather warnings or drills. We lined students up against the hallway walls and put them in the kneel and duck position. May 22nd changed all that. With video cameras in Joplin High School and East Middle School, we were able to go back and see what would have happened in those designated shelter areas had students been there. Large debris from street signs to car bumpers were effortlessly tossed down the halls. In some areas, classroom walls fell into the hallway. Each hallway became a wind tunnel. It was obvious to us that many lives would have been lost in our schools had the storm come through during school hours. With that knowledge, we no longer use hallways - period. FEMA has placed shelters at schools that were damaged in the tornado, but we still have many other schools that do not have FEMA shelters. In those buildings, we have cleaned out the old, musty basements that were being used for storage so that we can put as many kids in them as possible. In schools that need more room, or do not have basements, we are using "interior rooms" - rooms that do not have any walls that are exterior walls. As a last resort, we will use rooms that may have an exterior wall, but no windows or exterior doors. In looking at the damaged schools, these areas fared much better than the hallways."

Now is the time to use this vital "lesson learned" to make necessary adjustments to your shelter-in-place procedures.

Please post your thoughts and comments.

National Safe Schools Week

"Your Attention, Please." 

We are right in the middle of National Safe Schools Week (10/16-22) - http://www.safeschoolsweek.org/index.html. Don't wait for a security incident on your campus to be the motivation for improving your security program! Utilize initiatives and awareness campaigns like this one to move forward.

This annual campaign offers student violence prevention design contests, compelling security statistics, and a reminder to make use of an anonymous tip line - 866-Speak-Up.

How are your educating and involving your stakeholders? Share your ideas!

Piling On School Security

It's not often you find a story that contains all the drama of electronic name-calling, a political hot button issue, and accusations of bullying!

This brief  story, from Tulsa, Oklahoma, has it all. Tak a look: http://news.yahoo.com/okla-school-official-tweets-educators-dirtbags-233417629.html.

Do the math!  Technology (Twitter) Risks + School Voucher Lawsuit + Bullying Accusation = School Security Issue(s).

Issue Raising Questions (props to Paul Baltz) -
How are you handling/addressing technology use and indiscretions? To whom do your policies/practices apply? Students? Staff?
What are your policies regarding media coordination? How often are those policies disseminated?
Do you have a documented bullying policy? How 'bout a full-fledged bullying prevention program? To whom does is apply? Students and staff?  Others?

Share your thoughts!

Teacher-Student Facebook Ban Overturned

Here is the latest salvo in the facebook ban wars that are raging in the state of Missouri - http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/missouri-facebook-law-injunction-granted-law-ban-teachers/story?id=14388569.
While I have not read all of the language in the original law or details of the teachers' union protest to the ban, let me be clear about one thing - I AGREE WITH THE BAN, IN PRINCIPLE!!!
I think there are ways (i.e. departmental facebook fanpages) for teachers/coaches to communicate with students without wading into the murky waters of "private" correspondence. Classrooms are public places because windows in classrooms doors are mandated. Let's add windows to social networking, as well.
Your thoughts?

Banning Teacher-Student Electronic Correspondence

Check out this story detailing a potential statewide ban on student-teacher electronic correspondence (texting, social networking, etc.) in Virginia - http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/virginia_poised_to_ban_teacher-student_texting_fac.php.
We think these restrictions have merit. What are your thoughts? Where do you stand?