Security provider Verkada appoints new School Safety Advisory Board, aiming to create safer learning environments
Verkada’s products are used in more than 6,500 districts and schools, serving nearly 20 million students. Its School Safety Advisory Board is comprised of nationally recognized leaders in school safety.
The new School Safety Advisory Board includes:
Frank DeAngelis, former Principal at Columbine High School and national advocate for school safety.
Pat Hamilton, Alliance Director at the ‘I Love U Guys’ Foundation, which offers training on standardizing crisis response programs across schools, districts, departments and organizations.
Ben Fernandez, Director of Mental and Behavioural Health Programs at the non-profit Safe and Sound Schools, which supports school crisis prevention, response and recovery.
"Creating safe learning environments requires more than just technology – it demands partnership, trust, and deep expertise," explains Alana O'Grady Lauk, Vice President of Public Affairs and Global Communications at Verkada. "We are honored to work alongside these respected leaders whose lifelong dedication to student safety will help us better serve schools across the country."
The new board builds on Verkada’s existing partnership with the Safe and Sound Schools and the ‘I Love U Guys’ Foundation.
Verkada provides video security camera, access control, environmental sensors, alarms, workplace and intercoms operated by an integrated, cloud-based software platform.
The news comes as school shootings continue to occur regularly across America. In 2024 alone there were 56 school shooting incidents. The increasing frequency of violent incidents has prompted many school districts to invest in enhanced security measures.
DeAngelis, who was serving as Principal at Columbine High School during the 1999 mass shooting, adds: "This board is committed to helping schools prepare for and respond to today's complex safety challenges. Creating and maintaining safe learning environments requires support from everyone in a community, including educators, families, law enforcement, and technology partners."
Last month, student transportation tech firm HopSkipDrive announced the formation of a new dedicated Safety Advisory Council, which will directly inform product development as the company continues to expand its offering of services for students with specialized transport needs.
