National School Safety and Security Services is a Cleveland (Ohio)-based, national school safety consulting firm specializing in:

• school security and emergency preparedness assessments
• emergency preparedness and crisis response plan evaluations
• school safety strategic leadership consultation on complex and challenging school safety issues facing boards, superintendents, principals and other leadership team members
• evaluations of school security and police operations
• school safety, emergency preparedness, and safety-communications professional development
• litigation consulting and expert witness support services
• effectively communicating school safety, security, and emergency preparedness issues

Who we are: National School Safety and Security Services is private, independent national school safety consulting firm based in Cleveland, Ohio with consultant team members in Indiana, Florida, Maryland, Michigan, Ohio, Tennessee, Texas, and Wisconsin. We have more than four decades of preK-12 school safety experience and provide professional services on a contracted basis to schools, public safety organizations, youth-service providers, government agencies, litigation firms, and other clients in all 50 states and internationally.

Our philosophy:

We believe proactive strategies are the keys to safe schools. We focus on a balanced approach to prevention, intervention, security and emergency preparedness, combined with improving school safety communications, school climate, psychological support services, and meaningful relationships with public safety officials. We are independent and driven by the best interests and practices in our field. We are not product-affiliated, grant-funded, government operated, or allied with any group that pushes bundled services. We are free of product-vendor affiliations, political influences, and hidden agendas. Our primary interest is the safety of children, schools, and school-communities.

We are the nation’s premier school safeety, security, and emergency preparedness PreK-12 education consulting firm:

• PreK-12 school-specific safety, security, and emergency preparedness experience
• Urban, suburban, rural, public, private and independent school experience
• Recommendations are independent, not product-affiliated, and are based on practical solutions to challenges facing school leaders
• Demonstrated experience working in highly-emotional and politically-charged conditions
• Specialized in effectively communicating school safety, security, and emergency preparedness issues and strategies
• School safety recommendations informed by research and best practices, school psychology, special education, and school leadership expertise

Meet our team:

Kenneth S. Trump, Ed.D., is the President of National School Safety and Security Services.  “Dr. Ken” has been making schools safer for more than four decades. Right now, he is working with school and safety officials across the country to make schools safer and better prepared to manage emergencies. He provides keynote and workshop presentations in-person and online for national, state, and regional conferences on school security, emergency planning, threat assessment, school strategic crisis leadership and communications, and managing school safety communications and social media strategy. He counsels state and federal lawmakers on school safety policies and crisis response, and provides litigation consulting and expert witness services on school safety cases, including on some of the nation’s highest profile school shooting civil litigation cases.

Dr. Ken is the author, co-author and/or editor of three books, five book chapters and more than 450 articles on school safety issues. He has advised school and public safety officials in all 50 states. He works on the front-lines with principals, superintendents, school board members, school crisis teams, first responders, communications directors and public information officers, parents, and others to make schools safer and better prepared for emergencies while communicating safety issues more effectively and strategically to their school-communities.

Ken started as an officer, investigator and Youth Gang Unit Supervisor for the Cleveland Public Schools, and as a suburban School Security Director. During that time, Ken spoke at national conferences and worked regularly with local reporters on stories related to school safety, security incidents, and gangs.

Ken earned a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) degree from the Johns Hopkins University School of Education with a research focus on the intersection of school administrator strategic crisis leadership with school safety communications in highly ambiguous and uncertain contexts. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Service (Criminal Justice concentration) and a Master of Public Administration degree from Cleveland State University. He has received special certification in School Safety Leadership from the National School Safety Center, and also for completing the Advanced Physical Security Training Program at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center.  Ken has also received more than 2,500 hours of specialized training in gang prevention, intervention, and enforcement; terrorism and homeland security; physical security; school safety and emergency management; and associated topics.

He has been interviewed by all network and cable news outlets, the top 50 U.S. daily newspapers, local community newspapers, and radio stations nationwide. Ken is familiar with the unique operations and needs of each type of media outlet. During recent high-profile school shootings, including the Sandy Hook Elementary School shootings and the Chardon (OH) school shootings, Ken provided on-site live analysis and commentary for The Today Show, CNN, and Fox News Channel, along with satellite live shots and taped interviews for ABC World News Tonight, CBS This Morning, NBC Nightly News, and others. He has also worked as a freelance investigative producer, content consultant and online reporter for the ABC affiliate in Cleveland.

Dr. Ken has testified four times before Congress about school security and crisis issues, and before the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights about the role of the federal government in local school bullying issues. He was a guest at the 2006 White House Conference on School Safety. Ken has also advised the Connecticut Governor’s Sandy Hook Advisory Commission, the Oklahoma School Security Commission, the New Jersey School Security Task Force, the Council of State Governments, the Education Commission of the States, and other public policy and governing entities.  (Want to know more? Click here)

School Security and Emergency Preparedness 

Chuck Hibbert serves as a senior consultant to National School Safety and Security Services. Chuck retired after 21 years of services as Coordinator of Safety and Transportation Services for the Wayne Township Metropolitan School District in Indianapolis. Prior to his position in the school district, he served as a twelve-year member of the Indiana State Police. Chuck earned a B.A. degree, has extensive specialized school safety and law enforcement training, and served as a master level instructor in Nonviolent Crisis Intervention as certified by the Crisis Prevention Institute.

Chuck has trained and consulted nationally on school security assessments and emergency preparedness issues, and serves as an expert witness consultant to the legal community on school safety and emergency preparedness issues. Chuck was co-designer of the concept leading to the creation of the Indiana School Safety Specialist Academy and served as founding chairperson of the Academy’s Advisory Council. He has served as a school safety consultant for the Indiana Department of Education and is the recipient of the Bell Ringer Award for his contributions to school safety in Indiana.

Chuck is past chair of the Indianapolis Chapter of the American Society for Industrial Security (ASIS) and serves on the Educational Institutions Council of the American Society for Industrial Security. He has authored articles and presented nationally on school safety, security, and emergency preparedness issues to law enforcement and education associations including the National School Boards Association and the Association of School Business Officials International. Chuck has appeared on local television news and in national news as a school safety expert. Chuck was an invited attendee at the October, 2006, White House Conference on School Safety.

Jack Martin serves as a consultant and advisor to National School Safety and Security Services. Jack retired after serving 12 years as Supervisor of Security and Chief of School Police for the Indianapolis (Indiana) Public Schools, where he was responsible for security and policing services for over 50,000 students, 6,000 employees, 110 schools and support facilities, and directing a department of 85 school police officers and civilian support personnel.

He has since served as a national consultant, litigation expert witness, and trainer on school security assessments and emergency planning for school districts across the nation. Prior to his tenure with the Indianapolis Public Schools, Jack retired as a lieutenant colonel from the U.S. Army after serving over 25 years with the Military Police where he served worldwide in three different command positions plus numerous staff positions, including several involving all aspects of physical security and guard force development and management.

Jack has a B.A. degree in Political Science (University of Iowa), M.A. degree in Criminal Justice (Sam Houston State University), and M.A. in Human Resources Management (Pepperdine University). He is also a Graduate, U.S. Army Command and General Staff College. Jack holds a state certification as a school safety specialist and extensive training in school security and emergency preparedness issues.

Jack has served on the U.S. Department of Education’s advisory assembly of school safety chiefs, as a charter member of the Indiana School Safety Specialists’ Academy Advisory Council, and as an advisory board member of the University of Louisville’s Center for Safe Urban Schools. He has presented nationally on school safety and provides expert witness and litigation consultation services to attorneys on matters related to school safety, security and emergency preparedness issues.

John Weicker serves as a school security consultant and advisor to National School Safety and Security Services. John is  a veteran of more than 35 years in education where he served as a teacher, dean, and school security director for the largest public school system in Indiana.

The son of a high school principal, John served in the U.S. Army and went on to earn his B.S. and M.S. degrees from Indiana University. While attending college, John worked as a school custodian and later began his teaching career in Fort Wayne Community Schools at the middle school level.  John then served as a high school dean of boys for 13 years. He was appointed in 1991 as the district’s security director where he served for 22 years until his recent retirement.

During his tenure as security director, John oversaw safety and emergency preparedness issues for 51 schools with more than 4,000 staff and nearly 31,000 students. He was responsible for security staffing, coordinating School Resource Officers, physical security measures, investigations, discipline data management, liaison with first responders, and related areas of school safety. John continues to serve the district as an expulsion hearing officer.

John’s leadership on school safety extended beyond the boundaries of the Ft. Wayne Community School District.  He was an original member of the Indiana School Safety Specialist Academy, contributed to its curriculum design, and advised on the initial direction of the Academy. John was a founding member of the Allen County School Safety Commission where he served as its chair. Upon his retirement, John was presented with the coveted Sagamore of the Wabash award issued by the Indiana Governor for his distinguished service to the school community.

School Safety Leadership and Student Support Services 

Erica M. Carswell, EdD, is the President of EMC Education Consulting and serves as a consultant to National School Safety and Security Services.  Dr. Carswell is a veteran classroom teacher of children with special needs. Her instructional leadership includes serving children with autism, behavioral disorders, and other special needs in self-contained and co-teaching service delivery models.

Erica earned her doctorate in Education at Johns Hopkins University’s School of Education with a speciality in Mind, Brain, and Teaching.  Her  dissertation research explores professional development, teacher efficacy, and differentiating instruction for elementary students with individualized education plans (IEPs).  Erica earned her Master of Education degree from the University of North Texas with a specialty in Special Education – Autism Intervention. In addition to a Bachelor of Applied Arts and Science in Education, English, Anthropology, and Sociology, Erica is state certified in EC-12 special education, English Language Arts and Reading 4-8, and Early Childhood -6 Generalist education.

Erica’s leadership includes service as special education department chair, student leadership club founder and sponsor, paraprofessional coaching and supervision, workshop presenter, and Nonviolent Crisis Intervention CORE team member.  She has served on school building and district decision-making and education improvement committees. Erica also served on the cohort advisory group for the Ed.D. program at Johns Hopkins University.

Erica’s current interests include planning for inclusion, bridging the general education-special education teacher gap, collaboration and co-teaching, and special education teacher burnout. She is also an independent artist and has provided art therapy and instruction for communication, behavioral, and social skill development for children on the autism spectrum.

Asia R. Jones, Ed.D., is an experienced educator with over 30 years of successful leadership in Virginia public schools with student enrollments ranging from 13,000 to 84,000 students. Dr. Jones serves as a consultant to National School Safety and Security Services.

Prior to her retirement and successful tenure as the Assistant Superintendent for Student Services for Loudoun County Public Schools in July 2023, she served as the Director for Personnel Services for Loudoun County Public Schools. Dr. Jones’ school leadership includes her years as a high school special education teacher, elementary principal, and middle school principal. She has also served as adjunct faculty for teacher preparation programs offered through Roanoke College and the University of Virginia.

Dr. Jones’ teaching and administrative experience has supported students and families from economically disadvantaged and well-resourced backgrounds, teachers, and administrators in rural and urban school divisions. She served as the school division liaison on the Loudoun County government COVID-19 mitigation team during the pandemic, and was recognized as an integral community and division leader for her health and safety initiatives and collaborative effort. Dr. Jones has facilitated multiple initiatives, conducted workshops, and presented at the local and state level on leadership development, student mental health, dropout prevention, threat assessment, and strategic Multi-Tiered System of Supports.

Dr. Jones earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Master of Science in Education from Longwood University, and doctorate in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from Virginia Tech. Her licensure includes Business, Special Education, Administration and Supervision, and Division Superintendent in Virginia. She is a past member of the Virginia Department of Education Commission to the General Assembly and Virginia Council of the Southern Association for Colleges and Schools (SACS CASI). As the recipient of many honors during her tenure as an educator, she is most proud of being recognized by her students through Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers.

School Safety, Delinquency and Violence Reduction, Social Bonding and Connectedness, Research and Evaluation 

Christine Eith, PhD, is a sociologist with a specialization in research methods, school violence and delinquency. She currently serves as an assistant professor and member of the research methods team at The Johns Hopkins University School of Education. She has taught numerous courses in the fields of sociology, criminology and in applied research methods.

Dr. Eith is engaged in research focusing on violence reduction, interethnic social cohesion in urban centers, school safety, and humane education strategies to increase student connection in order to improve the learning environment and reduce disruptive behavior.

Dr. Eith has published in the areas of school safety, social bonding in schools, human education, delinquency and violence, interaction between police and the public, and crisis communication. Her recent work in the scholarship of teaching has focused on engaging students in applied research methods for organizational improvement. She most recently co-authored articles on a holistic approach to school safety and the role of social bonding in school safety planning in publications for the American Association of School Administrators (AASA) and the Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD), respectively.

Dr. Eith also has experience managing national-level data collection efforts and grant management within the U.S. Department of Justice. In 2017, she received a 21st Century Cities Grant titled “Improving Interethnic Social Cohesion by Promoting Latino Participation in Neighborhood Associations.”

School Psychology, Crisis Recovery, Teen Suicide, Threat Assessment, Violence Prevention & Intervention Associate

Dr. Scott Poland, Ed.D., is a nationally recognized expert on school crisis, youth violence, suicide intervention, self injury, school safety, threat assessment, parenting and the delivery of psychological services in schools. He has lectured and written extensively on these subjects, appeared on all major television network news programs, and has presented over 1,000 workshops in every state and numerous foreign countries.

Scott served on the President’s Roundtable on Youth Violence and has testified about the needs of children before the U.S. Congress on four occasions Dr. Poland is a founding member of the National Emergency Assistance Team for the National Association of School Psychologists and serves as the Prevention Director for the American Association of Suicidology. He has led multiple national crisis teams following numerous school shootings and suicides and has assisted schools and communities after terrorism acts in New York, Washington, D.C. and Oklahoma. He has also worked in the aftermath of hurricanes in Texas, Louisiana and Florida. Scott has also been an expert witness in numerous legal cases.

Scott is a Past President of the National Association of School Psychologists and was the Director of Psychological Services (1982-2005) for a large Texas school district that received numerous state and national awards for its exemplary psychological services. He developed and ran one of the nation’s largest adventure based counseling programs (ROPES) as over 100,000 students and staff participated. Scott has received many individual honors including being named a finalist for the national school psychologist of the year, named the most outstanding school psychologist in Texas twice and named most outstanding psychologist in Texas. He also received the Houston Wage Peace Award.

Communications

Our communications consultant team has decades of experience as veteran education and investigative reporters, editors, news directors, and social media strategists. They know what questions will be asked of school and safety officials, how decisions are made on what is and is not covered in the news, techniques for best handling challenging media inquiries and interviews, and how to communicate your school’s message proactively within and outside of the traditional media channels.

Ellen Miller serves as a consultant to National School Safety and Security Services on work with schools on crisis communications, media relations, community building, and social media strategy. She coaches school leaders to communicate effectively in television interviews and news conferences.

Ellen is an award winning veteran of TV and online news, with a Master’s degree in Journalism. She has extensive experience as an education and investigative reporter, news anchor, executive producer, online editor and TV news director at local television stations across the country, including Chicago, Atlanta, Cleveland, Sacramento, Charlotte, Nashville, Baton Rouge and Charleston, West Virginia. She spent 20 years running newsrooms and making the key editorial decisions about which stories get covered and how.

Ellen also launched the Juvenile Justice Information Exchange, www.jjie.org. This news organization focused on children and families at risk is based at Kennesaw State University outside Atlanta, where she also taught journalism classes. She knows the secrets to getting coverage for your good news stories, handling the communications crisis when bad news hits, managing your school’s reputation online, and creating your own buzz with parents and the community. Ellen has degrees in English Literature and Journalism from Cornell University and Boston University.

As a consultant to National School Safety and Security Services, Ellen led our research projects on electronic school threats and the development of strategies targeted to help school leaders prepare for emerging new communications challenges. Her work with our school clients includes evaluating school web sites, crisis communications plans, traditional media strategy, social media tactics and strategy, and related messaging.