How to Manage School Security Upgrades

One of the most challenging responsibilities of a school security, safety, and emergency management executive is handling the multitude of technology upgrades required for the protection of today’s K-12 campuses. In most districts of any size, there are a lot of moving parts, supply chain issues, contractors, and in-house employees that all must be effectively managed. But, how do you actually do that? To find out, I spoke with Danielle Stevens who is district safety manager for Lake Zurich CUSD 95, who is also one of this year’s K-12 Director of the Year finalists. In only three years, she and her team completed 90% of a 2019 outside security assessment’s recommendations for school safety and security improvements. The remaining 10% of upgrades are currently being evaluated or are underway. In our interview, Danielle tells us:How she prioritized the assessment’s recommendations: 1:45How she managed the school district employees and contractors who completed the upgrades: 4:41How she dealt with supply chain issues, including a 20-week delay in receiving the two-way radios the district ordered 7:30How she is tackling the projects that remain, such as the district’s massive and very expensive video surveillance system upgrade. 8:58 She also provides some sage advice to other school security directors on how to effectively manage system upgrades. (12:45)CAMPUS SAFETY SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS: Facebook: https://facebook.com/CampusSafetyMagazineX: https://x.com/CampusSafetyMagInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/CampusSafetyMagLinkedIn Group: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/1836305YouTube: @Campussafetymagazine