Security Matters:  A School Safety Blog

Data is more than just numbers—it’s a powerful tool that can influence decisions at school boards, district offices, and even state funding levels. For school administrators, using concrete data to justify expenses ensures transparency, builds trust and shows a clear correlation between spending and results.

Drawing from my experience at School Gate Guardian, this article will walk you through how schools can use data to prioritize safety spending and maximize return on investment (ROI).

Steps to Prioritize School Safety Spending with Data

Transforming data into actionable steps can feel daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. Break it down, and it’s simpler than you think. Here’s a quick three-step process to help you get started.

1. Identify the Right Data Sources

If you want to make a strong case for safety spending, collecting the right data is key. Every data source brings its own insights, helping you see the full picture of where safety gaps might be.

Key Data Sources:

• Incident Reports: These include records of bullying incidents, unauthorized entries, or even emergency responses.
• Visitor Logs: Track patterns in check-ins. For example, are certain times of day more vulnerable to security lapses?
• Safety Audits: Comprehensive assessments reveal everything from outdated protocols to structural vulnerabilities.
• Compliance Reports: Use these to align your efforts with local, state, or federal requirements.
• Technology Insights: Evaluate how effectively your current safety tools are performing. Are staff members consistently using them?

Example

A school in Texas used visitor log data to discover repeated unauthorized entries during early dismissal times. This critical insight helped them secure funding for a check-in kiosk, decreasing security breaches significantly.

2. Prioritize High-Impact Risks

Using data effectively means knowing where to tackle issues first. Risks with the most significant consequences or those that happen frequently should be dealt with as a priority. This approach ensures optimal use of both time and resources.

How to Prioritize:

• How Often Does the Risk Happen? If something keeps popping up, like repeated unauthorized entries or areas that aren’t properly supervised, that’s where you should focus first.
• Potential Impact: Think about what could happen if certain risks are ignored. For instance, preparing for an active shooter situation is definitely more urgent than some other initiatives.
• Sustainability of Solutions: Go for long-lasting safety tools that don’t need constant replacements or upgrades, like automated visitor management systems or digital hall passes.

 Example:

After noticing how slow paper-based notifications were during active shooter drills, an Arkansas school district decided to take action. They prioritized installing emergency alert systems and secured grant funding for advanced software. The outcome? Response times improved significantly.

3. Demonstrate Cost Efficiency to Gain Support

Any safety proposal must address the inevitable question— “Is the investment worth it?” To secure buy-in from decision-makers, show how your plan delivers measurable value. Data helps you do just that, creating a narrative around cost-effectiveness and ROI.

Metrics That Prove Value:

• Faster Emergency Responses: Record and share how your systems cut down response times.
• Preventing Costly Problems: Demonstrating how your systems reduce non-compliance penalties and injury lawsuits   can make a significant impact.
• Improved Operational Efficiency: Quantify how streamlined systems reduce burdens on staff, freeing them up for   educational priorities.

Example

A Georgia school district analyzed results from their recent visitor management system upgrade. They found that automating visitor check-ins halved the time spent on manual processes, freeing up administrative staff to work on curriculum planning. Encouraged by the results, they expanded the system to all district schools.

Final Thoughts—and Next Steps

Data-driven decision-making isn’t just a buzzword; it’s a strategy for schools to improve safety planning. Using real data helps you back up spending decisions, focus on the biggest risks, and show exactly how safety investments are making a difference.

At School Gate Guardian, we’ve witnessed how tools like visitor management systems and digital safety reporting streamline operations while protecting what matters most—your students and staff. 

We are committed to providing the tools and technology that schools need to protect their communities and keep everyone safe.

About the Author:

Amanda Gonzalez has steadily advanced through key roles at School Gate Guardian, showcasing her expertise and dedication to school safety. Beginning her career as a Technical Support Specialist, she excelled at resolving technical issues, configuring systems, and training end users on SGG software. Her leadership as Director of Support further elevated the company’s service quality by enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of the support team. Now serving as Director of Sales, Amanda focuses on maintaining strong customer relationships. Passionate about creating safer school environments, Amanda remains committed to delivering SGG’s innovative solutions to meet the unique needs of today’s schools.