School Security’s Greatest Challenge is Building Trust in Tumultuous Times

I was a high school teacher and baseball coach for a year back in the late 1970s. It filled the gap between graduating from college and determining whether to pursue graduate school. I received a graduate assistantship in the athletic department of a small university in Louisiana, soon after I ended my teaching career. Enforcing campus safety and security policy back then was a cakewalk compared to the landmines staff and administration face today. My enforcement worries consisted of breaking up fights on campus grounds, acting as a traffic cop for those who chose to race through the interior hallways, and, of course, the biggie, monitoring the bathrooms for smoking.

As I cast a nostalgic eye at the past, we are now faced with a more intense reality where school safety has become a political flashpoint and the threat of violence looms over us like a boogieman. Building consensus on security policies is no longer just a strategic goal; it’s a necessity for survival. From active shooter protocols and bullying prevention to the installation of surveillance systems or the presence of armed personnel, every decision a school district makes today can spark public outcry or political backlash. Complicating matters further are fringe groups and polarized school boards, eager to inject ideology into conversations that should be rooted in student safety.

School leaders must prioritize transparency, inclusiveness, and proactive communication to navigate this volatile landscape. Engaging parents, community members, and board representatives early and often helps turn potential conflict into shared understanding. Establishing a clear, consistent communication plan not only helps manage emotional responses but also reinforces trust in the process. Best practices involve forming cross-stakeholder safety committees, using data to justify decisions, and committing to open forums where concerns are heard and addressed. The objective measure of school safety may no longer rest in technology or procedures—but in how well districts unite their communities behind them.

I recently had a compelling discussion with Guy Grace, who has worked in the security field for 37 years and served for over three decades as the Director of Security and Emergency planning for Littleton Public Schools, a suburb of Denver, Colorado, before retiring in August 2020. He says that school districts can implement several best practices to engage with parents, school boards, and community stakeholders to build consensus on contentious safety policies and manage responses to politically or culturally charged security decisions. 

“When it comes to shaping and implementing effective school safety policies, especially the ones that stir controversy, districts must think beyond just what the policy says. They need to focus on how it’s introduced, discussed, and embraced by the broader school community. That means engaging parents, school boards, and community stakeholders early and consistently,” Grace says.

He adds that the most successful districts make it a priority to create an environment where every parent and stakeholder feels welcomed and heard. That could mean holding informal meet-and-greets, inviting families to safety fairs, or creating opportunities for parents to serve on school safety committees. These kinds of efforts help foster trust, strengthen relationships, and provide a platform for productive conversation—even when opinions differ.

“Equally important is having a communication plan in place before a crisis hits or a hot-button issue goes public. That includes identifying who’s on the response team, knowing how to get accurate information out quickly, and using a mix of channels—from social media to face-to-face meetings—to keep people informed,” stresses Grace. “Two-way communication matters here; it’s not just about delivering a message but listening and responding. The goal is simple: keep the community informed, involved, and aligned—even when the conversation gets tough”.

Editor’s Note:

It is time for Security & Safety Month! This October, SIW, and Security Executive, Security Business and Locksmith Ledger magazines, in alignment with Partner Alliance for Safer Schools (PASS), invite you to participate in this unique collaboration.

The series will consist of four one-hour live Video Roundtables and an Executive Summary in our digital supplement. Here is the web event schedule:

• OCT. 21 WEB EVENT – How to Build the Business Case for Campus Safety & Security Technology Initiatives (Hosted by PASS and SIA)
• OCT. 9 WEB EVENT – The Emerging Cloud-Based Physical and Cyber Security Solutions for Schools
• OCT. 15 WEB EVENT – Best Strategies for Conducting Behavioral Threat Assessments for University Security Staff (Hosted by PASS and SIA)
• OCT. 28 WEB EVENT - Defining the Role of Your Campus SRO and Coordinating with Community Police Agencies

To learn more about this school security series and register, click here. For information about becoming a featured sponsor, connect with me at [email protected].