Strategic school safety leaders recognize the importance of first graduating from kindergarten before grasping for PhD school security solutions. Focusing on mastering the fundamental core school security mission and functions should be every school leader’s goal.

For the past half dozen or so years, we have emphasized the importance of mastering the fundamentals of school safety, security, and emergency preparedness to our client schools and in training presentations.  My colleague, Senior Consultant Chuck Hibbert, uses the analogy of professional sports players who, during their practices, concentrate on repeatedly practicing the fundamental plays over and over to refine their skills no matter how many years they have in their sport.

The importance of mastering and fine tuning your core mission skills came center focus in recent weeks following the self-described catastrophic failures of the Secret Service on the day of the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump. Chatter in political circles and among law enforcement professionals have included whether the Secret Service has focused too much time and staffing on other functions outside of their protective mission.

Focus on your core school safety mission

These conversations remind me of the importance of staying focused on the fundamentals of school safety.

We see far too many school leaders focusing on active shooters, for example, at the risk of paying less attention to the core day-to-day security and emergency preparedness functions. For example, as some school leaders opt to install weapons detection systems, they end up pulling administrators, teachers, and support staff from other areas of the building needing adult supervision of students to manage weapons screening at the school front doors. This raises potential risks for bullying, sexual harassment and assault, and other misconduct where an adult presence elsewhere in the school might be a deterrent.

As a civil litigation expert witness on school safety cases, while the facts and merits of each case vary, a common thread is that they involve allegations of failures of human factors — communications, policies and protocols, and other “people” elements. Most claims do not center around alleged failures of security hardware, products and technology.

As many security vendors, consultants, and others push for often self-serving lobbying, school security “standards,” and other burdens to be placed upon school leaders, school leaders face more “noise” and distractions that draw their attention away from focusing on the core mission elements of training, communications, and other human factors.

Strategic school safety leaders recognize the importance of first graduating from kindergarten before grasping for PhD school security solutions. Focusing on mastering the fundamental core school security mission and function should be every school leaders’ goal.

Dr. Kenneth S. Trump is President of National School Safety and Security Services  

National School Safety and Security Services

Experts You Can Trust!

Connect with Dr. Ken on Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/kentrump/

Follow Dr. Ken on Twitter @safeschools

Visit and “Like” Our Facebook School Safety News Channel at: www.facebook.com/schoolsafety