When I hear, “I’m from the federal government and I’m here to help you,” I always have one question: 

Which one is it — are you here from the federal government or are you here to help me?

Given the current direction of federal school safety policy and funding, this tongue-in-cheek joke may end up being more truth than humor.

Ken Trump

Visit School Security Blog at:  http://www.schoolsecurityblog.com

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The true measure of a man is not how he behaves in moments of comfort and convenience but how he stands at times of controversy and challenges.

                                                                            Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

While this quote is attributed to Dr. King decades ago, it is very applicable today as we look at the state of school safety. 

Our schools are challenged by the influence of broader social and economic factors facing our students and communities.  Today, we also face one of the most serious education budget crisis periods in many years. 

Tough times mean tough decisions.  Unfortunately, there are a number of signs indicating prevention and security measures are part of the first items cut out as boards and administrators cut their budgets.

It is easy for school board members, administrators, and others to say they are advocates for school safety when grant and other funds are readily flowing to support school safety programs.  It is more difficult to advocate against cuts to prevention and security programs during times of challenge and controversy.

As your board members and administrators face challenging times, will they continue to be advocates and supporters of school safety? It is now we will see the true measure of these men and women.

Ken Trump

Visit School Security Blog at:  http://www.schoolsecurityblog.com

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Back in the late 1980s and early 1990s, this sign was posted in my offices and/or at my desk when I worked in school safety departments.  It reflected my rather well known “political incorrectness” in speaking my mind and speaking the truth, at many times to my own detriment.

The quote is still one of my favorites.  It has stayed with me throughout my life of running my own business and consulting nationwide on school safety issues.  It is a principle I still try hard to follow, still at many times to my own detriment.

However, the “detriment” has always been to my bank account, not to my personal and professional integrity.  And that’s O.K. as I came to live with that a long time ago.

As a well-respected colleague of mine told me many years ago when I found myself surrounded by a cesspool of political vultures with their own agendas, and not agendas for the best interest of kids and safety:  “You can find another job. You can’t find another reputation if you make the wrong choice.”  That was great advice and a supportive reinforcement.  It is one I’ve always tried to live by and one which I believe is the only way to go through your personal and professional short time on this planet.

Today, more than ever, the dialogue is not about right and wrong, but whose rhetoric and political strength wins in being perceived as “right” whether it is or is not right.  It is a matter of who “wins” rather than what is the right thing to do.

I have had great professional opportunities to brief Congress, governors, and international educators and safety officials.  I have also been blessed to train and consult with school safety officers, school resource officers, secretaries, food service workers, bus drivers, custodians, school nurses, teachers, principals, parents, students, and others on the front-lines of education.  An inside view from all of these perspectives has been a very interesting and intriguing part of my career.

Those on the front-lines so often want what is right, not what is popular or politically-correct.  Many feel powerless.  Many wonder why ridiculous laws, funding cuts, policies and administrative decisions so often are directly in opposition to what is needed to keep kids and teachers safer, and to promote learning.  I frequently wonder the same. 

This is where, “What is popular is not always right.  What is right is not always popular,” hits home.  This is especially true today as we see increasing funding cuts to school safety from the federal to the local levels, and in a number of cases useless political grandstanding and hollow laws proposed under the guise of creating safer schools. 

I don’t know who said it first.  A quick Google check produced some conflicting or empty answers.  And I don’t really care who was the first to say it.  But I sure do care about seeing it followed as a guide for improved policy, administrative, and funding decisions regarding school safety.

While I promise to keep working with that quote as a part of my foundation, I think we have a long way to go to make it the norm for some of our most powerful and influential decision-makers.  I invite you to join me.  Progress starts with each individual.

Ken Trump

Visit School Security Blog at:  http://www.schoolsecurityblog.com

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By all accounts, the school and police response at Tuesday’s shooting at Deer Creek Middle School in Littleton, Colorado, reflected their planning and preparedness efforts. This was heard time and time again in media interviews.  It was quite evident to those of us who advise school boards, superintendents, and school staff on school crisis planning, as well.

It is worth repeating one of my favorite quotes from history that I end with in most of my school safety and crisis workshops for educators and safety officials:

He is most free from danger, who, even when safe, is on his guard.  

             Publilius Syrus (85BC-43BC)

             Latin Writer, First Century BC

What is your favorite quote on preparedness?

Ken Trump 

Visit School Security Blog at:  http://www.schoolsecurityblog.com 

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Three reasons why school security fails:

“It can’t happen here.”

“We can’t afford it.”

“We don’t have the time to do all that.”

Submitted by:  Jack Martin, President of The Martin Group and retired Chief of School Police, Indianapolis Public Schools

Ken Trump 

Visit School Security Blog at:  http://www.schoolsecurityblog.com 

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“Eric is a very bright young man who is likely to succeed in life.”

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“They make you laugh. They make you cry. And then they leave you wondering, ‘Why?’ All fluff, no stuff.”

       Dr. Stephen Sroka, President, Health Education Consultants

Dr. Steve Sroka is an internationally experienced speaker and consultant on youth sex, drugs, and violence issues.  As a veteran health educator and crisis intervention expert, Steve shares a concern that many people presenting themselves as “school safety experts” have little-to-no real life experience working with violence, safety, security, and crisis issues in K-12 school settings.

In today’s education world of tightening budgets and demands for accountability, school leaders cannot afford to spend very limited public dollars on “all fluff, no stuff” speakers and consultants. When hiring outside experts, schools need technical assistance from consultants with real-world experience in understanding school climate, culture, operational, and political dynamics. 

Most of all, front-line school staff need realistic, practical, and cost-effective strategies which fit K-12 settings. Getting real help from real “school people” — not an over-priced speech with a lot of hype, tears, and laughter, but little substance once the dust settles — will really make them motivated.

Ken Trump

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