CARMEL, IND. -- February
19, 2009 - Ingersoll Rand Security Technologies, in conjunction with AASA and
RETA Security, today released the results of the 2008 National School Safety
Study, which assesses the status of security in the nation's K-12 public schools,
based on a survey of school leaders nationwide. The information within the Study
is especially timely as the United States starts implementing the economic stimulus
package, which includes the school modernization bill.
"School leaders are
dedicated to making sure students, teachers and staff are in the safest possible
learning environments," notes AASA Executive Director Daniel A. Domenech.
"To that National School Safety Study end, we welcome the opportunity to
use the data presented in this landmark study to ensure all schools have the
best security resources available."
The 2008 National School
Safety Study is based on the Risk Mitigation Assessment, a survey instrument
created by Ingersoll Rand Security Technologies and RETA Security Inc. The assessment,
which can be accessed at www.safeschools.ingersollrand.com, identifies potential
threats and determines action items to ensure the security of school systems.
Overall, schools are doing a decent job, considering the budgets they have.
However, in other instances, much more needs to be done.
Among the findings are:
• While two-thirds of all responding districts lock public entrances to
buildings, one-third reported that exterior doors are occasionally or often
propped open.
• Almost 60 percent
of school buildings have no "panic" exit devices installed in strategic
locations, a potential violation of the Fire and Life Safety Code.
• When queried about
funding, approximately 80 percent of administrators describe their situation
as "stretched" or "inadequate."
"Ingersoll Rand Security
Technologies undertook this initiative in keeping with our corporate stewardship
responsibility," explains Beverly Vigue, vice president of the Company's
Education Solutions group. "Our Risk Mitigation Assessment is an excellent
example of the ways public-private partnerships can be used for the common good.
This Study shows the tremendous value in getting the most accurate pulse on
trends in school security in order to remain at the forefront in developing
truly effective solutions that keep learning environments safe and productive."
"It is important for
schools to place first priority on improving the areas of access control and
communications," adds Paul Timm, PSP, president of RETA Security. "Demonstrating
that there are low-cost, common-sense measures each school district can implement
is a significant first step in providing a safer learning environment for students,
staff, and visitors."
As a follow-up to the study,
AASA, Ingersoll Rand Security Technologies and RETA Security are discussing
how to best leverage the results of this study to the advantage of America's
school communities. Grant tool kits are already on the www.safeschools.ingersollrand.com
website. Plans include regional training initiatives, including common sense
tips schools can implement to increase the safety of students at little to no
cost. For example, school districts can organize school safety committees with
broad-based stakeholder representation that meet regularly to review safety
policies and needs.
"We are in a unique
position to respond to schools," stressed Vigue. "For instance, we
have education specialist representatives located in 18 Security and Safety
Consultant offices across the nation who can help schools with a host of products
and services, including alternative funding programs such as our grant funding
program to help them pay for improvements. Our customer grant consultants are
also finding that funding is available from a variety of programs for those
districts needing to migrate to more sophisticated, district-wide school security
and safety systems."
The full survey results
are available on the AASA website at www.aasa.org.
About the Study
AASA invited 9,260 AASA
members to complete the Risk Mitigation Assessment online over the course of
nine weeks (June 4-Aug. 11, 2008). A total of 445 responses were received, yielding
a response rate of 4.8 percent.
About AASA
The American Association
of School Administrators (www.aasa.org), founded in 1865, is the professional
organization for more than 13,000 educational leaders across the United States.
AASA members range from chief executive officers, superintendents and senior-level school administrators to cabinet members, professors and aspiring school system leaders. AASA's mission is to support and develop effective school system leaders who are dedicated to the highest quality public education for all children.
About RETA Security, Inc.
For 25 years, RETA Security Inc. (www.retasecurity.com) has provided the highest level of independent, non-product affiliated, school security consulting services. Solutions include physical security assessments using patented methodology, training, and comprehensive planning strategies to prevent and prepare for crises. RETA Security's mission is to assist educational leaders in providing a more secure learning environment.
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Note to editors
The Study itself and the Executive Summary are also at www.brighamscully.com. Click Press Room/Ingersoll Rand Security Technlogies - Locking Systems and Software.
To interview Beverly
Vigue, please email Tom Brigham at tbrigham@brighamscully.com or phone 1-869-469-0734.
You can also email beverly_vigue@irco.com directly. Please copy Brigham.
