Page 50 - Security Today, May/June 2020

Ensuring Growth
Strong community service comes from safer, more secure schools
By Cydney Higgins
Safe Environment
Monkey Business Images/Shutterstock.com
Coppell, Texas, is a suburban commu- nity in the Dallas-Fort Worth metro- politan area, with a reputation for strong community services, includ- ing a premier public education sys- tem ensured by the administrators, faculty, and staff of the Coppell Independent School District. Coppell ISD, recognized statewide for both high performance and innovation, serves over 12,800 students through a vibrant network of schools, programs, and adminis- trative functions spread over 23 square miles.
Preserving a Safe and Secure Childhood
Though the rituals, milestones, and commit- ments associated with childhood develop- ment and public education remain consistent as classic reflections of community values and aspirations, there is little doubt the modern learning environment poses new and unique challenges for communities like Coppell.
In Coppell, school and community leaders work tirelessly to maintain optimal learning environments for students, even as they must adapt (sometimes in real time) to address evolving legal and regulatory, technological, and/or safety considerations.
Further, modern technology has equipped
students, teachers, and parents with the abil- ity to record video of incidents and exchang- es from personal vantage points, which risks misunderstanding and misrepresentation of facts on the ground in the absence of wider and more definitive records.
And with all involved—from students, teach- ers, parents, and administrators—keenly aware of the even more serious, unexpected safety threats that have dominated the public con- sciousness in recent years, the need for latest- generation, comprehensive, and feature-rich video surveillance technology is understood by those in the education field, more than ever.
The Timeless Art of Education
in a 21st Century Environment
Coppell ISD was determined to meet the safe- ty and security needs of the 21st century learning environment head on. Administra- tors recognized the need to do so in a way that would not only address all legal and regulato- ry requirements, but also preserved an opti- mal learning environment for children. In addition, the plan needed to reflect good stewardship of taxpayer dollars and public trust—allowing the focus of the school dis- trict to remain squarely on the education and
development of the community’s children. With existing surveillance infrastructure growing out-of-date, the opportunity for a dis- trict-wide overhaul and modernization effort offered an opportunity to improve safety and
security for everyone in the district.
Mindful that keeping kids safe is always a
no-fail proposition, Coppell ISD leadership and security personnel worked closely with Siemens Industry Inc., a national security systems integrator, and IDIS America to develop a solution that exceeded safety and security needs. Coppell ISD, Siemens, and IDIS worked together to craft a solution that was mindful of all legal and regulatory con- siderations, and as unobtrusive as possible for the district’s students.
“Siemens believes that a perfect place to learn is a safe, secure place. Thus, we aim to partner with schools to help create this safe, secure learning environment, one where teachers can focus on their core mission of educating stu- dents,” said a Siemens Industry spokesperson. “Every day, creating this environment becomes a bigger challenge and a greater responsibility. Siemens’ dedicated focus brings the right strate- gies and technologies to deliver confidence and peace of mind to everyone in a school.”
6 campuslifesecurity.com | MAY/JUNE 2020