Des Moines Public Schools

In early 2023, DMPS approached BBS to assess specific possible security enhancements for the District’s many schools. After learning more about the District’s security condition and needs, BBS recommended stepping back and teaming with a Pre-K – 12th Grade educational security consultant to perform a holistic and comprehensive assessment of their operational and physical security. BBS led a nationwide search, researching and interviewing security experts. Unanimously, BBS and DMPS selected Michael Gagnon and his firm, Smart Security Partners (SSP). By the fall, Michael and his team were conducting thorough research into existing district operations and completing dozens of interviews from district-level leadership to classroom teachers and IT directors to maintenance staff. This research and interview prep paved the way for 2 weeks of on-site security assessments, including two district-level facilities, for administration and athletics. SSP composed a comprehensive report detailing various independent and interdependent operational and physical security factors at the district level. Operational factors included policies, procedures, training, as well as safety and security plans, emergency preparedness, and crisis management. Physical factors included security, surveillance, and communications technology, as well as the security operations center and Public Safety patrols. For every security factor described, a risk level and priority were assigned along with one or more clear, yet flexible solutions. Solutions were based on professional expertise, best practices, and industry standards from state and federal legislation to NGO research as well as agency guidance from DHS to CDC. Specific findings included photographed conditions and illustrated solutions. BBS managed the project and coordinated all parties, leading communications and logistics, enabling SSP to focus on their mission of guiding DMPS towards a holistic and comprehensive understanding of the existing state of district-level security and allowing DMPS to maintain BBS as their trusted primary consultant. This work has empowered DMPS leadership to make important, necessary decisions to continually improve the safety and security of all students and staff. Safe and secure building environments lead to improved teaching and learning outcomes, as well as teacher and parent satisfaction. This work is important, and BBS and SSP are grateful for the opportunity to work alongside the district to provide exceptional environments for DMPS’s 31,000 students and 5,000 staff.