This session explored the evolving landscape of school safety and the practical steps institutions can take to strengthen preparedness. Our speakers discussed emerging trends, security challenges facing schools in the Mid‑Atlantic and leadership decisions required to keep communities safe.

1. Security Capacity Varies Widely

Many schools are facing uneven investment in security personnel and systems.

• Only 23–35% of schools in the region have any security staff, and those who do often operate with 1–3 individuals responsible for safety.
• Most teams remain unarmed, which reflects alignment with the culture for many institutions.
• Schools must determine what security should look like for their communities, whether that includes security staff, sworn police officers or alternative roles.

It’s important to note that well‑designed security programs cannot guarantee risk elimination and weaker programs don’t necessarily result in incidents.

2. Technology Adoption Does Not Equal Integration

Schools increasingly implement tools that improve speed and visibility, such cameras, access control, panic buttons and automated alert systems, but many of these tools are not fully understood or consistently used.

• Roughly 90% of schools rely on cameras and access control, but fewer have integrated emergency notification systems.
• Adoption varies significantly by region; Mid‑Atlantic schools lag behind New England and the East in ENS usage.
• Many campuses still lack tools that directly connect to law enforcement. Only 25–50% have integrated panic buttons or silent alarm systems.

Real‑world example: Last year, an AI system mistakenly flagged a harmless object as a gun in a Baltimore County high school which led to an innocent student being handcuffed, creating confusion and undermining trust. This underscores the importance of human judgment and training alongside technology.

3. Response Extends Beyond the School

High‑impact incidents, such as active assailant events, bring multiple agencies to the scene, which can introduce complexity.

• The DMV region has an estimated 75–125 law enforcement agencies operating across jurisdictions.
• In a crisis, the lead agency depends on the incident type, timing and location, meaning command is not automatically clear.
• Time can be lost when overlapping authorities arrive without an established structure.

Schools can help mitigate these challenges through tabletop exercises, functional drills and relationship‑building with local responders. Establishing clarity in advance dramatically improves coordination and reduces delays during real events.

4. Preparing for Effective Reunification

Reunification is one of the most stressful and resource‑intensive phases of an emergency response. Successful reunification requires:

• Multiple trained teams
• External collaboration (law enforcement, transportation, counselors)
• Clear sequencing and role clarity
• Repeated practice

5. What Leaders Can Influence

Despite varied resources and environments, school leaders can make meaningful progress by focusing on:

• Clarity of authority
• Strength of relationships
• Readiness for reunification

School safety requires continual reassessment, collaborative relationships and the right blend of people, systems and practice. Technology alone won’t solve emerging challenges, but thoughtful leadership and integrated planning can create safer, more resilient communities.

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