APS Column: Tech Tools for APS Safety – Austin Daily Herald

Amy Theusen

APS Technology Director

When you think about technology in schools, you probably imagine students using laptops and teachers using a plethora of engaging apps for education. But you may not be thinking about how much technology is being used to keep students and staff safe. In Austin Public Schools, technology's critical role is to help improve safety, and this will become even more apparent as security upgrades in several districts are scheduled for the remainder of 2024. It's becoming more and more.

Austin Public Schools' top priority is to provide support and resources to ensure a safe and welcoming learning environment. From key cards to phone systems to elevators, advances in technology have made APS a safer place to learn and work.

One of the major upcoming security upgrades will be monitoring of building doors and key card entrances. Our Technology and Facilities departments are working together to upgrade the hardware and software that manages doors with keycard access to ensure only authorized individuals have access to our sites. The new software also features future enhancements, including advanced door monitoring and detection capabilities powered by AI. Additionally, by the end of December 2024, security stations will be installed in each building to provide close visual surveillance of building doors, hallways, and exteriors.

Another upgrade includes more powerful communication tools both inside and outside the school building. This July, we will overhaul our district's phone system. This includes replacing all desktop and classroom handsets and introducing several new features. These enhancements ensure compliance with E911 laws and include mobile and Microsoft Teams integration for easy communication from anywhere. Digital signage has also been updated. Each digital signage in building hallways, cafeterias, and common spaces will display consistent district messaging with content specific to each building. The new hardware also supports security alerts such as standard response protocols and weather forecasts.

Finally, from now until the end of December 2024, major elevator upgrades will take place throughout the district. By the end of this project, secure access to the building's elevators will be improved with key cards and safety phones that will remain operational during power outages and network outages.

As we move forward with our newly adopted technology plan, APS Technology will continue to develop and implement technology policies and practices that protect data, privacy, security, and accessibility across the district. These technology approaches may not be as flashy as classroom displays or laptops, but they are just as important to maintaining a great learning environment for students.