Many of the conversations concerning school security revolve around deterrence, detection, and de-escalation. While these are necessary topics that help school administrators spot flaws in existing procedures and systems, what happens when the dust clears?

Once the storm has passed, or the active shooter has been neutralized, how do you get everyone to safety? Emergency reunification is a critical element of your school’s safety protocols and procedures. The process involves compassion, efficient organization, practiced planning and effective communication.

 A national review notes that any plan you implement needs to be understood by the community at large before an event. The document states: "Individual and community preparedness is fundamental to the success of reunification efforts.”

Are you looking for a way to ensure everyone gets home after an event in your Bellaire, TX school system? Read more below to learn about strategies that help.

When your Sugar Land, TX school system is responsible for the care and well-being of thousands of students, good communications at all levels of the school hierarchy is essential. Ask yourself these questions:

• Can your school quickly and effectively communicate events internally to staff, faculty, and students?
• Can your school quickly and effectively communicate events externally to law enforcement, medical personnel, and the surrounding community?
• Can your school quickly and efficiently communicate events district-wide if necessary?

 Having practical communication tools in place is a vital part of school safety and security plans. A robust emergency notifications system can help close communication gaps in the areas listed above. Keep reading to learn more.

In recent years, K-12 access control systems have become a vital component in comprehensive school security systems. Access control solutions eliminate security vulnerabilities that metal keys and locks create and allow school administrators to monitor activity around school entryways and exits. Traditional access control credentials include key cards, fobs, PINs, and even biometric facial or fingerprint scans.

But another type of access control is beginning to trickle down to the school level: mobile-based credentials that utilize digital keys stored in an individual’s smartphone. What’s driving the mobile movement? Increased encryption, easy scalability, and convenience, for starters. Keep reading to learn more about what a smartphone-based access system has to offer Waco, TX schools. 

In the technology world, there’s always been a balance between proprietary technology and technology based on open standards. In many cases, proprietary solutions lock organizations into one vendor or a set of technologies that may have limited compatibility with other solutions. While open solutions are not a panacea for every application, and proprietary ones are not by definition inferior, interoperability is a desirable and often necessary attribute of any technology solution.

If your Rio Grande Valley, TX district is evaluating a new or upgraded school surveillance camera solution, interoperability should be a key criterion for your system. Today’s security solutions are integrated, and you want to invest in a surveillance solution that can interoperate with access control, emergency management, and other safety and security systems on your campuses. Keep reading below to learn about ONVIF, interoperability, and how it can help you get the most from your school surveillance solutions.

With lots of discussion in Washington about infrastructure, we shouldn’t forget that schools are just as important as roads, bridges, and broadband. The closure of schools with the pandemic brought home just how essential the safe operation of schools is to the fabric of every community.

Fortunately, schools in Texas don't have to wait for the dust to settle on a federal infrastructure plan. The last Coronavirus relief bill (CRRSA) provided an additional $54.3 billion in aid to elementary and secondary schools. And that funding is applicable to much-needed K-12 security upgrades for schools in San Antonio and other cities around the state.

That money can be used for all types of security infrastructure improvements in schools. As school administrators and district security officials explore how to fully reopen schools safely this fall, let’s take a closer look at some of the most valuable school security solutions below.

Keeping schools safe is of paramount importance in a community like Bellaire or any other in the Houston area. One obvious way of doing that is only to admit people on campus that need to be there and are vetted.

While schools now routinely ask for IDs for visitors, the school may not know of an issue without a more robust system for checking out that person. That's where automated visitor management systems come in, giving school staff an easier way of knowing who is walking through their front door and ensuring they are who they claim to be. Let’s explore how visitor management solutions, a critical part of access control for schools, keep schools safer.