School Safety Starts with Culture!
- Security Solutions
- 14 minutes ago
- 3 min read
After more than 25 years working in K-12 IT and physical security, and now serving as a school board director, I have seen firsthand what works, what fails, and what truly makes a difference when it comes to keeping schools safe. Yet the most effective safety plans I have observed all share one common foundation: a strong culture supported by clear accountability and disciplined planning. We all need to take a step back and understand what a security-focused culture looks like in our buildings, and let it become the “why” behind the technology decisions we make.
Creating a secure culture starts long before any discussion of cameras or access control. It begins with understanding your environment and your risks. Threat assessments must be conducted regularly to identify risks specific to each campus, not assumed based on national trends or vendor claims. Facilities should be properly mapped so staff, students, and first responders understand layouts, access points, and critical areas. Emergency response protocols must be clearly documented, routinely updated, and practiced so they reflect how the school operates today, not how it operated years ago.
A strong safety culture is one where every adult understands their role in protecting students and feels empowered and obligated to act. It is built through clear expectations, consistent policies, regular training, and leadership that models accountability. When staff know procedures, take drills seriously, and address small issues before they become larger problems, safety becomes part of daily operations rather than a reaction to an incident.
Students play a crucial role in this culture and should feel empowered to act. They are not passive participants in school safety. When students feel connected, respected, and trusted, they are more likely to speak up, intervene appropriately, look out for one another, and report concerns early. Teaching students what “normal” looks like, providing clear guidance on how and when to report issues, and reinforcing that reporting concerns is an act of responsibility and care strengthens the entire safety ecosystem. Empowered students often prevent incidents long before any alarm or camera is activated.
Accountability reinforces that culture. Plans that live in binders or shared drives but are never practiced will fail when they are needed most. Roles must be defined, responsibilities assigned, and follow-through expected. After-action reviews, honest conversations about gaps, and a willingness to correct course are essential. Accountability is not about blame; it is about ownership.
Only after culture, planning, and accountability are in place should technology enter the conversation. When conversations turn to school safety, there is often a tendency to jump straight to cameras, access control, panic buttons, and monitoring centers. These tools can be valuable, but they must be selected intentionally. A critical step is clearly defining the problem you are trying to solve and understanding why a particular technology is needed. Without that clarity, schools risk investing in tools that look impressive but do not meaningfully reduce risk or improve response.
Technology should support the foundation, not replace it. Even the most advanced security system cannot compensate for unclear procedures, lack of training, or a culture that assumes someone else will handle it. Conversely, when a school has a strong safety culture among staff and students alike, supported by regular threat assessments, accurate mapping, and current response protocols, technology becomes a force multiplier by enhancing visibility, communication, and response.
School safety is not a product you buy; it is a commitment you build. Start with culture. Reinforce it with accountability. Conduct ongoing threat assessments, maintain accurate maps, and keep emergency response protocols current. Empower students as partners in the process. Then, and only then, add tools that align with your people, your policies, and your purpose of keeping students safe.
If you are looking for help, please reach out and I will get you resources.
I highly recommend reaching out to your local Educational Service District (ESD) Comprehensive School Safety Coordinators for assistance.
If you are looking for standards please check out the I luv u guys foundation: https://iloveuguys.org -- Email me davet@ssnw.co to learn about a training we are sponsoring February 6th, 2026.
For School Mapping solutions please check out: https://www.crgplans.com
Josh Longenecker
Regional Director - Pacific Northwest
Critical Response Group
We invite you to schedule a free consultation with our Education Specialist, Dave Teague. As a former educator and current school board chairman, Dave understands the real-world challenges schools face—from tight budgets to complex safety needs. He’s here to help you make smart, sustainable decisions.
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