ICEARY 2025

Many folks believe “hardening” schools with cameras, metal detectors, and weapons detection systems prevents school violence.  We encourage districts and communities to rethink school safety using a much more holistic approach.  Finding the right balance between “hardening” and “heartening” is key.  Having the right physical security features in place is important.  Ensuring our schools are fostering relationships, building trust, and creating a nurturing learning environment - “heartening” - is also critical to enhancing overall school safety.

In our session, you will hear about our Safety and Threat Assessment Team (STAT) efforts within West 40 Intermediate Service Center and how we are supporting the rethinking of safe school environments. We will discuss ways to achieve the right balance - how you can keep your school physically sound and also help define the roles that everyone plays in Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management (BTAM). We will then put these concepts into action with a discussion/exercise using an actual threat scenario. The right balance between “hardening” and “heartening” is the key to a successful and well-rounded school safety program!