A popular question buzzing through the business and education worlds today asks, “What’s your ‘Why’?” Here’s a closer look at some of the “why” behind my articles and posts about school safety issues: “Does this guy ever post positive things?” or “Are we actually learning from failures?” I hear this question from time-to-time: Does this […]
Blog Archives
School security vendors are spending millions for lobbyists to pressure state legislators to provide taxpayer dollars for products and tech they sell — whether or not it is what superintendents and school boards really need and can sustain
Dear Superintendents and School Boards: Your state legislators are providing you the “best” school security that money can buy — money lobbied for by school safety vendors’ lobbyists, that is! Plus, it will be up to your school district to find the funds to repair, replace, and/or sustain whatever you get once the vendors make […]
Are superintendents and school boards flying blind when buying school security technology and products? A leading AI weapons detection company is reportedly facing two federal investigations. But would school leaders even know when questions exist about school security vendors?
Scrutiny and questions ramp up on school security vendors and the growing “school security industrial complex” A leading AI weapons detection company is reportedly under a second federal investigation according to multiple reports this week, including IPVM (https://ipvm.com/reports/sec-evolv) and Security System News (https://www.securitysystemsnews.com/article/evolv-technology-gives-regulatory-update-following-sec-request) Industry reports and company releases indicate both the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) […]
“Dancing with the Devil”: How some education associations and school safety conference organizers are selling their souls and conference agendas to security vendors — and potentially increasing school safety and liability risks for superintendents and school boards
“Unfortunately, we increasingly have to dance with the devil.” More than a decade ago, these words were said to me by a now long-retired head of a national association for school leaders. He was explaining to me why he had to fill a few annual convention speaking slots with vendor-affiliated speakers rather than more experienced […]
School security vendors say educators are not tapping into their training for products and tech they sell to schools, but principals say they are not getting enough training. Where is the disconnect?
School principals tell us they are not receiving adequate training for using the security products and technology purchased by their districts. One principal told us he spent nearly three hours trying to track down the movement of one specific identified student using new cameras installed in his district. Building principals have noted from time to […]
When “layers of security” becomes a spin phrase to dodge questions about gaps and limitations of school security products, hardware, and technology
The most novice of security students understand that the concept of “layers of security” is a basic concept of professional security practices. The basic premise in the simplest of explanations is that multiple layers of security may lower risks of full security breaches. While a basic concept to security professionals, the concept — and more […]
Are security vendors setting up school leaders to fail? When superintendents and principals overpromise on school security, they lose their school community’s trust and confidence on school safety.
School leaders turning to physical security measures such as metal detectors, AI weapons detection systems, panic buttons or badges, and other trendy measures should exercise caution not to overpromise school security to parents, teachers, and students. Superintendents and principals should avoid parroting vendor marketing claims and overpromising security Some security hardware, product, and tech vendors […]
A lesson for superintendents, school boards, and principals on being wise school safety and security consumers: People don’t buy products. They buy solutions to their problems.
“People don’t buy products. They buy solutions to their problems.” This insightful observation, along with a humorous video to illustrate the point, is floating around social media. While some may focus on the video, marketing gurus are using it to impart a bit of wisdom that school leaders must consider when tackling school security challenges […]
Ohio school safety policy should be barricaded from politics
A highly emotional controversy is spreading across Ohio over classroom door barricades. Advocates are touting these devices as a way to lock out potential school shooters. They are ignoring the very real dangers created if these barricades are used improperly or fall into the wrong hands. Imagine that your daughter is forced into an empty […]
Are schools wasting limited money on questionable security vendor products?
Since the attack at Sandy Hook Elementary School, far too many schools have been looking for the one practice or device that will guarantee school safety. Not surprisingly, many service and product vendors have tried to meet that desire. While few vendors have been successful in meeting that need, a large amount of school safety […]