In this featured piece by Spaces4Learning, the outlet reports on Singlewire Software’s first-ever School Entrance Security Report, based on more than 500 responses from U.S. school staff members. The findings reveal a gap between K-12 leaders’ safety goals and the actual state of their schools, with only 17% of respondents calling their entrances “completely secure.” Joanna Haugland, chief product officer for Visitor Aware at Singlewire Software, said proactive tools that help identify potential threats will play a key role as schools work to close these gaps. The article also details how most schools already monitor entrances closely and feel confident in their communication tools, even as verification and staffing challenges persist. Terry Swanson, president and CEO of Singlewire Software, said school safety starts at the front door.
Key Takeaways
- Only 17% of respondents in Singlewire Software’s School Entrance Security Report called their school entrances “completely secure.”
- The most commonly cited entrance security challenges were guests not following check-in procedures (31%) and a lack of staff (30%).
- Fifty-nine percent of schools reported entrances are monitored 24/7, while 32% said monitoring occurs only during the school day.
- About 89% of schools currently have video surveillance in place.
- Only 1% of respondents said their school does not use an established communication system.
Original Story
Singlewire Software recently released its first-ever School Entrance Security Report based on more than 500 responses from U.S. school staff members. According to a news release, the findings highlight a gap between K–12 leaders’ wishes for school safety and how safe the schools actually are, as well as the challenges facing students and staff in that goal. Only 17 percent of respondents called their schools’ entrances “completely secure”; the most commonly cited challenges included “guests not following check-in procedures (31 percent)” and “lack of staff” (30 percent).
“While schools are prioritizing safety at their entrances, challenges and gaps remain,” said Joanna Haugland, chief product officer for Visitor Aware at Singlewire Software. “As schools look for ways to further enhance entrance safety, proactive tools that help identify potential threats and prevent them from accessing buildings will play a crucial role in keeping students and staff safe from harm.”