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Creating Safer Schools: A Strategic, Inclusive, and Budget-Conscious Approach
Across the country, school leaders continue to face the pressing challenge of how to enhance safety without exhausting already tight budgets. It’s a difficult balancing act; one that requires not just smarter technology or new infrastructure, but a shared cultural commitment. As emphasized in the recent FacilitiesNet article, “A Strategic Approach to Making Schools Safer,” the most effective school security strategies begin with collaboration and planning, not panic or reaction. More often than not, the collaboration and planning to improve a school security program does not begin until a specific incident has already occurred.
Security in a school isn’t something relegated to a single role or department. It’s a shared responsibility that starts with the district administration and extends all the way down to students. Everyone has a role to play. That’s why training and education are among the most critical components of any successful safety program. Teaching staff how to recognize warning signs, helping students understand reporting protocols, and giving administrators the tools to respond appropriately are just as essential as any access control system or video surveillance camera.
A Roadmap for Action: The PASS 7th Edition Guidelines
To help districts navigate these complex issues, the Partner Alliance for Safer Schools (PASS) recently released the 7th edition of its K–12 Safety and Security Guidelines. Since 2015, PASS has been releasing safety and security guidelines that school districts can use as a baseline when implementing comprehensive strategies. Each year, new guidelines are released in order to address the complex safety and security challenges that arose during the previous year. It introduces a new Digital Infrastructure layer, reflecting how closely physical security and cybersecurity have become intertwined. It also refines previous guidance on topics like Campus Perimeter Controls, Door Locking Strategies, Visitor Management Workflows, and Panic Alarm Systems.
One of the most valuable tools PASS offers is its tiered checklist system, which allows schools to assess their current level of preparedness and develop a plan for incremental improvements to each layer of protection identified within a school district. These checklists help administrators identify areas of vulnerability and potential threats, set realistic priorities, and make informed decisions about where to focus limited resources.
For districts that feel overwhelmed by where to begin, the PASS framework provides a clear and actionable starting point. It also serves as a helpful reference when justifying budget requests or pursuing grant funding.
Getting Creative with Funding
One of the realities school districts encounter is that funding for security enhancements doesn’t always come in large or predictable amounts. Sometimes the required budgetary provisions for adequate security improvements are spread over multiple years, therefore adding complexity when trying to address improvements that are considered high priority for an upcoming school year. But that doesn’t mean schools are out of options.
There are numerous creative approaches to funding school safety projects. Federal and state grants remain one of the most direct sources, especially for priority areas like access control, emergency communications, or mental health support infrastructure. Bond measures tied to facility upgrades can also include security improvements, while PTAs and community foundations often support local fundraising efforts for specific enhancements, such as secured entry vestibules or radio systems for staff communication.
Additionally, some schools partner with local law enforcement, emergency services, or higher education institutions to share technology platforms or training resources. Leveraging rebate programs from utility or infrastructure improvement plans can also reduce overall costs while upgrading older systems to modern standards.
Prioritizing What Matters Most
When operating under a limited budget, schools must focus on high-impact, cost-effective improvements. Securing entry points is a fundamental starting point, especially considering a school facility that has multiple entry points to the facility throughout the campus. This includes ensuring doors are kept closed and locked during class time, controlling visitor access through a monitored vestibule that is clearly identified as the main entrance, and making sure staff have clear protocols for admitting guests.
From there, door hardware becomes another top priority. The PASS guidelines emphasize that internal doors, especially classroom doors, should be functional and secure at all times. Upgrading locks, aligning door hardware, and verifying that mechanisms work correctly is a great way to increase protection in the event of an incident.
Another critical area is staff and student training. Even the best technology won’t work if users aren’t prepared to respond. Regular drills, lockdown procedures, and bystander awareness training can all be implemented with minimal cost and immediate benefit. To help lead staff and student training, having an assembled school security team with clearly defined responsibilities can help identify what policies and procedures are best suited for each school based on the risks the school may face in their district.
Don’t Overlook Maintenance
Often schools focus on what they don’t have, forgetting that what they already own must also be maintained. A malfunctioning lock, a broken camera, or an intercom with poor audible communication can render an entire layer of protection ineffective.
Industry best practices recommend inspecting door hardware and locks at least quarterly, while video surveillance systems and electronic access control components should be tested semi-annually. These routine checks ensure that the systems in place continue to function as intended and reduce the likelihood of failure during critical moments.
Schools should also work with their technology integrators or facility teams to set up long-term maintenance schedules, review warranties, test systems periodically, and ensure firmware and software are kept up to date, particularly as threats evolve and devices become more interconnected.
Low-Hanging Fruit and Long-Term Investments
For many districts, the path forward includes a mix of quick wins and long-term strategic planning. Simple improvements like securing vestibules, installing signage to guide visitors, or upgrading door locks on high priority doors can be implemented quickly and often within existing budgets. These changes can have an immediate impact on security and offer visible reassurance to staff, parents, and students.
On the other hand, more complex and large-scale improvements like perimeter fencing, integrated access control systems, or video surveillance require multi-year planning and funding cycles. These projects should be included in capital improvement plans and bond discussions, with consideration given to how these technologies will be supported and maintained over time.
The PASS framework is particularly valuable here, offering a roadmap that aligns day-one improvements with future upgrades, helping districts set realistic goals while planning for long-term resilience.
Final Thoughts
There is no one-size-fits-all solution for school security. But there is a clear path forward and it starts with collaboration, assessment, and strategic action. When districts combine proper training, stakeholder involvement, thoughtful planning, and smart budgeting, they can create safer, more resilient learning environments for everyone.
Security is not just about doors and cameras. It’s about culture, communication, and community. With the right tools and the right approach, schools can take meaningful steps, no matter their size or budget, to protect what matters most: their students, staff, and the future they represent. Guidepost supports schools of all sizes and budgets by delivering tailored security solutions grounded in strategic planning, collaboration, and proven frameworks like PASS. Whether a district is just beginning its safety journey or refining existing measures, Guidepost helps identify practical, high-impact improvements that enhance protection without overextending resources
Jordan Ferrantelli MBA, CPP, PSP
Vice President, Healthcare, Education + Life Safety Practice
Jordan Ferrantelli, MBA, CPP, PSP, is Vice President of the Healthcare, Education + Life Safety Practice with more than 14 years of experience in security consulting and design experience throughout several vertical markets. Mr. Ferrantelli has been involved in several high-profile risk assessments and prominent security system designs throughout the United States and abroad. He has worked on several prestigious projects in the healthcare, higher education, financial environments, and hospitality industries, among others, and also large multi-use/multi-faceted projects.
John Carosello PSP, APP, CPD
Senior Consultant
John Carosello joins the Healthcare, Education, and Life Safety Practice at Guidepost Solutions as a Senior Consultant, bringing extensive expertise in security system design, risk assessment, and security master planning.
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