Safety and Security Assessment Program
IS IT TIME TO CONDUCT YOUR SCHOOL'S
SAFETY AND SECURITY ASSESSMENT?
Wisconsin Statute §118.07(4) calls upon public and private schools to provide the safest, most secure environments for their students, staff, and visitors by identifying, alleviating and preventing risks, threats, and hazards.
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WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU:
A key step in fulfilling this obligation is conducting on-site safety & security assessments of each school building, site, and facility that are regularly occupied by pupils. Per this statute, assessments are to be completed in consultation with local law enforcement before creating or updating school safety plans.
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A comprehensive school safety & security assessment informs and guides the creation or revision of school safety plans, and ensures that plans and subsequent actions align to the five critical hazard areas as identified in statute: prevention, protection, mitigation, response, and recovery. An effective school security assessment of a school district’s or private school’s buildings and grounds will identify hazards, assess risks, and assist in the develop a plan of action for improving programs, policies, and protocols for school security. The assessment includes interviews of key staff, reviews of existing documents, and a comprehensive walk-through of all buildings and grounds. ​
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WHY CONDUCT A SAFETY
AND SECURITY ASSESSMENT?
In addition to fulfilling the requirements of the law, conducting a school safety & security assessment is a sound strategy that will:
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Promote student safety and academic excellence
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Identify and manage safety and security risks
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Help minimize liability from lawsuits
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Foster the confidence and support of parents and the community
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Provide critical data and insight for the development of school safety grant proposals
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Help re-tool existing crisis/emergency response plans to address the new threats and homeland security needs and issues
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Help prioritize school safety and security needs and the use of limited resources
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Heighten awareness about school safety best practices
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Provide a qualified, professional outside opinion and evaluation of school safety issues.
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HOW WSSCA CAN HELP
HOW WSSCA CAN HELP
Since 2013 the Wisconsin School Safety Coordinators Association (WSSCA) has provided school safety and security assessments to public and private schools across the state. The process was initiated after the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut, and has been modified and revised over the years to stay aligned to current recommendations, best practices, and statutory requirements.
WSSCA’s School Safety & Security Assessment Program incorporates and adapts concept, principles, and ideas from:
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The National Clearinghouse for Educational Facilities
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Safe Schools Facilities Checklist
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The Texas School Safety Center
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School District Facility safety and security audits
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Wisconsin Statute 118.07
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Wisconsin Department of Justice Office of School Safety
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The Wisconsin School Safety Coordinators Association.
MEET THE PROGRAM COORDINATOR
PATRICK FINNEMORE
Patrick Finnemore has a Bachelor's and Master’s Degrees in Mechanical Engineering and
has over 40 years of experience in facilities management, design, and construction. He
recently retired as the Director of Facilities for the Kenosha Unified School District and
served in that role for 25 years. He is a former member of the WSSCA Board of
Directors. He has served two three-year terms as a member of the Wisconsin Association
of School Business Officials (WASBO) Board of Directors, including one year as
president of the WASBO Board. He is a past recipient of the WASBO Facilities Manager
of the Year and Wallace E. Zastrow awards, as well as the Wisconsin Athletic Directors
Association (WADA) Distinguished Service award. He received the Energy Star Partner
of the Year and Earth Day Challenge Certificate of Achievement from the US
Environmental Protection Agency. He was recognized by the Wisconsin National Guard
and the Kenosha County Sheriff’s Department for his response to civil unrest in the City
of Kenosha. He was named Administrator of the Year for the Kenosha Unified School
District. In 2025 he was awarded an Impact Award for lifetime achievement and
contributions to the Kenosha community by the Kenosha Area Business Alliance He is a
Registered Professional Engineer in the State of Wisconsin. Pat has participated in over
200 safety/security assessments using the WSSCA assessment tool in over 20 school
districts in the State of Wisconsin.
HERE'S WHAT WE RECOMMEND
The Wisconsin School Safety Coordinators Association offers two opportunities for schools to complete a safety and security assessment: an On-Site Assessment and a Self-Assessment Training Workshop.
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We recommend periodic thorough on-site assessments (recommended every three years) by a WSSCA Assessment team to provide an outside view and bring you best practices from other districts. In addition, regular self-assessments conducted in house with collaboration of local law enforcement. We'll teach you how to do these assessments in our Self-Assessment Training Workshop.
WSSCA ON-SITE
ASSESSMENT
A WSSCA-trained professional or team of professionals will conduct an on-site, in-person safety and security assessment for your school or district.
WHEN:
Mutually-agreed upon date and schedule
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COST:
Assessments start at approximately $1,500/school
SELF-ASSESSMENT
TRAINING WORKSHOPS
Learn to conduct your own school safety and security assessment through a WSSCA Assessment Training Workshop. Our staff will train you using the theory, tools and protocols we have successfully used throughout Wisconsin for years.
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VIRTUAL SESSION:
No dates scheduled at this time.
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COST:
$100 per person for WSSCA Members and law enforcement | $125 per person for non-members
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IN PERSON SESSION:
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Oshkosh, WI
November 19 | 9 am - 4 pm
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COST:
$225 WSSCA Members/per person
$250 Law Enforcement/per person
$275 Non-Members/per person
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Hear what others are saying about our Assessment Program
FREE RESOURCES?
LOOK NO FURTHER.
We want to help you do your job efficiently and successfully. That's why we've created a valuable, information-packed free resource you can download right now: a guide to planning for your school safety assessment. Complete the form below to get your download!
