Improving Security at Private and Faith-Based Schools
When violence becomes alarmingly common, how should private education leaders respond?
Violence at faith-based schools has become almost routine, with major shootings erupting on a regular basis. In the last few years, attackers have struck at private schools in Nashville, Minneapolis and Madison, Wisc., killing children and their teachers. While school-related violence is not new, the challenge for faith-based organizations is greater than that of their taxpayer-funded counterparts.
“Limited budgets, shoestring staffing and a culture that’s more welcoming than warning can make religious schools and day cares what one shooter called ‘a soft target.’”
Most resources devoted to school security are oriented toward public schools, and this certainly makes sense. At least 80 percent of all students are enrolled in public institutions. However, about five million students are present at private and faith-based schools. While many security principles overlap, private schools have unique cultures and challenges that must be addressed separately in order to enhance their security environment.
As a service to our private education clients, Ministry Pacific teamed with Strategos International to host a webinar addressing these topics. Content from the webinar was repurposed for our collaborative e-book, “No Soft Targets: Protecting Faith-Based and Private Schools In An Age of Violence.”
Ministry Pacific is indebted to Vaughn Baker, co-founder and president of Strategos International, for sharing this information with our audience of faith-based and private school leaders. In addition, Ministry Pacific partners with Strategos as a recommended consultant and security trainer for houses of worship, ministries, schools and nonprofit organization. Ministry Pacific clients receive a 10 percent discount from Strategos.
Private schools: Get a free insurance checkup
Whether you’re concerned about school violence, slip-and-fall accidents or property damage, you’re entitled to a free insurance checkup with Ministry Pacific. Contact us for a free consultation today at 1.866.870.2700 or fill out the form below and we’ll contact you.