“The only person who likes change is a wet baby.” – Mark Twain
Twain knew a lot about human nature; and he pulled no punches when he wrote about the stubborn way most people cling to old ideas and the comfort of the status-quo.
And it applies as well for ensuring the safety and security of our schools. Complying with school safety protocol isn’t always convenient. For many people in the education industry, it becomes an education itself, learning new rules and procedures, and for many, involves changing once tried-and-true routines.
What used to be common practices can now lead to security threats. A building door left open or ajar for moving furniture or equipment, or routinely “buzzing in” a stranger instead of checking and verifying his or her identity are just two common examples.
Despite having the latest and greatest in security technology, lapses in security still exist if we sacrifice established protocol for convenience.
For example, it isn’t convenient when one’s online banking account recommends a regular password change, but it’s strongly recommended. Such as it is with maintaining strong school security practices.
Adapting to change is not just a technique, it’s an attitude. If you are a school leader, convince your team to start seeing themselves as “agents of change” rather than “victims of change.” Help them see that change doesn’t have to be an aggravation, but vital when it comes to protecting students and staff.
The team at Sonitrol Great Lakes is available to help your schools in evaluating and developing best security practices. Contact us to learn more about our special services for the education market.