Don’t Go It Alone: Smarter School Safety Starts with Your Students

Beyond the Threshold Podcast - episode 7 thumbnail

In this special “On the Ground” episode of Beyond the Threshold, Evolv’s Jill Lemond chats with Paul Timm, Director of Education Safety at Allegion, live from the AASA conference. They dive into what’s trending in school safety—from new legislation like Alyssa’s Law to digital mapping and tighter access control. As Paul points out, schools are doing their best to keep up, but without assessments or collaboration, even the flashiest tools can fall flat.

Paul also reminds us that safety shouldn’t fall on one person’s shoulders. The best plans are built with input from the whole community—especially students, who often have the sharpest instincts when it comes to digital threats. His advice? Listen to them, involve them, and lean on trusted resources to build a smarter, safer approach.

Top 3 Takeaways:

  1. Legislation and tech are shaping school safety trends.
  2. Collaboration and assessments matter more than flashy, one-off solutions.
  3. Students are valuable partners in safety planning—bring them into the conversation.