School Security Planning for the Next Academic Year

The academic year is just months away, and Memphis-area schools that want to strengthen their security posture need to be planning now. Summer is the time to assess what worked last year, identify gaps, and implement improvements before students and staff return. Waiting until August to address security concerns means making decisions under time pressure, which is never ideal.

Access Control Review

Most schools have some form of access control, but many have gaps that become apparent when you examine them closely. During the school day, exterior doors should be locked and monitored. Entry should be controlled at a single point where visitors can be screened before accessing the building. Classroom doors should be lockable from inside. These basics sound obvious, but we regularly encounter schools where they're not consistently implemented.

Summer is the time to audit your access control systems, test locks, verify that your visitor management system is functioning, and train staff on entry point procedures. This isn't expensive work, but it requires attention that gets lost in the busyness of the school year.

Security Personnel Assessment

Schools that employ security officers, resource officers, or other dedicated security personnel should use summer months to evaluate their performance, provide additional training, and address any gaps. The skills needed for school security are distinct from general security work, and officers assigned to schools should receive specific training.

We provide school security services in the Memphis area, and our officers complete training that addresses the unique challenges of educational environments. This includes de-escalation techniques, working with minors, emergency response in school settings, and coordination with school administration and law enforcement.

Emergency Response Planning

Every school should have documented emergency response procedures for a range of scenarios: severe weather, medical emergency, fire, unauthorized entry, and active threat. These plans should be reviewed and updated annually, with tabletop exercises and staff training conducted before the school year begins.

We work with Memphis schools to develop and refine these plans, drawing on our experience with emergency response in a range of environments. A plan that's been tested through exercises is dramatically more effective than one that exists only on paper.

Technology and Communication Systems

Effective school security depends on reliable communication. This includes internal communication systems that allow staff to alert each other to emergencies, external communication with law enforcement and emergency services, and parent notification systems for crisis situations.

Summer is the time to test these systems, replace aging equipment, and ensure that staff are trained on their use. A communication system that was adequate three years ago may no longer meet current needs, particularly as threat landscapes have evolved.

Coordination With Local Law Enforcement

Schools in Memphis should maintain active relationships with local law enforcement, including regular communication about incident trends, coordinated training exercises, and clear protocols for when law enforcement response is needed. This relationship is significantly easier to maintain when it's developed during calm periods rather than created during a crisis.

We can help Memphis schools establish and maintain these coordination relationships, integrating our security operations with law enforcement partners to create a comprehensive safety approach.

If you're involved with school security planning in the Memphis area and want to discuss how we can help, we'd welcome the conversation. Call (202) 222-2225 or contact us here. We serve schools throughout the greater Memphis area with professional security services designed for educational environments.