Cost of school safety programs is often a concern, but it is important to realize that good security does not always require additional manpower and equipment. School security is much more encompassing than these components alone. When dollars are an issue, we must also examine the cost of doing nothing. Increased lawsuit and insurance claim losses due to inadequate security are the two most obvious costs. But difficulties in teacher recruitment, low staff retention, and lower student test scores top the list of the hidden costs associated with operating unsafe schools.
Surveys increasingly identify security as a major concern of students, parents, and staff.
And the buck stops at the school administrator's door in terms of leading the fight to create a secure environment.