In this featured piece by Security Info Watch, the outlet examines how a holistic, integrated approach to school safety is emerging as districts combine mass notification systems, physical security measures, environmental monitoring, and standardized response protocols. Jay Grossman, director of technology at Saline Area Schools in Michigan, and Kris Saylor, director of technology at Necedah School District in Wisconsin, describe how their districts use the InformaCast mass notification system from Singlewire Software to deliver targeted, zoned alerts alongside daily operational communications like bell scheduling. The article also details how both districts have adopted the “I Love U Guys” Foundation’s Standard Response Protocol to create shared emergency language between schools and local law enforcement, and discusses how physical security measures, AI-enabled video analytics, and environmental sensors are increasingly integrated into a single, cohesive safety network.
Key Takeaways
- Saline Area Schools serves nearly 5,000 students across a 100-square-mile area with multiple facilities, while Necedah School District serves 700 students on a single campus, illustrating how integrated safety technology scales across different district sizes.
- Both Saline Area Schools and Necedah School District use the InformaCast mass notification system from Singlewire Software to deliver targeted, zoned alerts alongside daily communications like bell scheduling.
- Kris Saylor, director of technology at Necedah School District, said the district’s system allows zoned notifications so a lockdown in one part of the building sends alerts only to that area’s screens, speakers, and phones.
- The “I Love U Guys” Foundation’s Standard Response Protocol, used by more than 50,000 schools, districts, and agencies worldwide, is built around five core actions: Hold, Secure, Lockdown, Evacuate, and Shelter.
- Alyssa’s Law, now enacted in several U.S. states, requires public schools to install silent panic alarms that connect directly to law enforcement to improve emergency response times.
Original Story
In an era where school safety concerns in the U.S. are at the forefront of educational discussions, administrators are grappling with creating secure learning environments without compromising the welcoming atmosphere essential for student growth. As threats evolve and technology advances, a new model emerges: the holistic, integrated approach to school safety and security.
This vision goes beyond traditional security measures, leveraging leading-edge technologies and intelligent systems to create a seamless, responsive safety infrastructure. At its center is the concept that true security comes not from any solution but from the intelligent integration of multiple systems working in concert.
Jay Grossman, director of technology at Saline Area Schools in Michigan, understands the urgency of this issue firsthand. “We’ve had an integrated communications system for about five years, and recently, with the help of bonds and grants, we’re now getting the system deployed in all our buildings,” Grossman said. This journey toward comprehensive security highlights a common challenge: the need to update and integrate systems across multiple facilities, often on tight budgets and timelines.
Similarly, Kris Saylor, director of technology at Necedah School District in Wisconsin, faced the unique challenges of securing a K-12 environment housed within a single building. “We need to be able to keep everybody safe no matter the circumstances,” said Saylor. “It’s critical that we can communicate quickly to all the different areas of the school.”