With threats to K-12 campuses changing rapidly, HID aims to equip education professionals with the knowledge to keep students and staff safe without sacrificing a supportive campus climate.
AUSTIN, Texas – HID has partnered with the National Council of School Safety Directors (NCSSD) to underwrite 1,000 scholarships for the Foundations of School Security Leadership Certificate course.
The effort will run through 2026, removing cost obstacles that can block access to core training on protecting schools from new threat scenarios and preserving a welcoming campus atmosphere. Recipients will receive a one-year NCSSD membership to “further support their professional development,” HID says.
This funding addresses cost concerns that might otherwise exclude smaller districts or underfunded regions from receiving essential safety training.
“HID is proud to partner with NCSSD in advancing school safety, a critical discipline dedicated to protecting students, teachers and staff,” says Mike Garcia, K-12 evangelist for HID. “Our team is dedicated to helping educate those responsible for safeguarding our schools and this program represents a meaningful step forward in driving practical solutions and measurable results in K-12 safety.”
NCSSD’s school security experts developed the curriculum as a nine-part, self-paced online program based on the Path to Safer Schools framework. It offers a comprehensive view of campus protection along with hands-on methods for prevention, preparedness, response and recovery.
HID notes the course is “designed for every person directly or indirectly responsible for safety and security in both public and private schools—including directors, administrators, coordinators, specialists and staff,” according to company materials.
“School administrators know how to run schools but they are not security experts,” says Jason Stoddard, board president of NCSSD. “They must rely on trained security professionals who are prepared to address any safety challenges that arise on K-12 campuses.
“The scholarships funded by HID will help ensure that school security coordinators and leaders receive the comprehensive training they need to respond to unexpected events in real time, meet emerging challenges and manage their aftermath effectively,” he says.
