#United States #Verkada #San Mateo #School Safety #Advisory Board

Verkada Forms School Safety Advisory Board

In a significant move towards bolstering safety in educational institutions, Verkada, recognized globally for its cloud-based physical security solutions, has announced the formation of its School Safety Advisory Board. This newly established board brings together nationally acclaimed experts in school safety and security, aiming to foster safer learning environments for K-12 and higher education.

Overview of the Advisory Board

Verkada has taken this initiative in light of its extensive deployment across over 6,500 educational districts and schools, serving nearly 20 million students. The School Safety Advisory Board will be instrumental in shaping the company’s strategies and technology innovations to better address the pressing safety challenges faced by schools today.

Alana O'Grady Lauk, the Vice President of Public Affairs and Global Communications at Verkada, emphasized the necessity for collaboration, stating, "Creating safe learning environments requires more than just technology — it demands partnership, trust, and deep expertise." The collective experience and dedication of the board members aim to drive impactful changes in school safety practices nationwide.

Meet the Experts

The board is composed of esteemed professionals including:

• - Frank DeAngelis: Former Principal of Columbine High School, he is a national advocate for school safety and founder of The DeAngelis Foundation, which promotes evidence-based safety training for schools and communities.
• - Pat Hamilton: Alliance Director for The "I Love U Guys" Foundation, which focuses on establishing standardized crisis response protocols across educational institutions. Hamilton previously held the role of Chief Operating Officer in the Five Star School District in Colorado, bringing a wealth of operational experience to the board.
• - Ben Fernandez: An expert in mental and behavioral health, Ben directs programs at Safe and Sound Schools, a non-profit dedicated to crisis prevention and response in schools. With over 28 years of hands-on experience, he aligns mental health initiatives closely with school safety protocols.

These leaders are dedicated to identifying the most significant safety challenges currently affecting schools, ensuring that Verkada's initiatives are in alignment with the real-world needs of educators and students.

Goals of the Advisory Board

As they embark on this journey together, the advisory board aims to:

• - Enhance Safety Culture: By integrating community support from educators, families, law enforcement, and technology partners, they aspire to nurture a comprehensive safety culture within schools.
• - Develop Practical Solutions: The focus will be on crafting actionable strategies that schools can implement to face today's diverse safety challenges.
• - Strengthen Existing Partnerships: This initiative also builds on Verkada’s existing relationships with organizations like Safe and Sound Schools and The "I Love U Guys" Foundation, both of which share the commitment to empowering educational institutions in fostering safety and security for all.

Conclusion

Verkada's School Safety Advisory Board represents a proactive step toward addressing the complexities of safety in schools. By leveraging the expertise of seasoned professionals, Verkada is not only expanding its services but is also reinforcing its dedication to the well-being of students and educators alike. For more information about Verkada and its solutions, you can visit www.verkada.com.