OasisLMS

Creating safe educational environments requires more than adding security measures—it requires integrating safety into the culture, design, operations, and daily life of a school community. This panel brings together leaders in law enforcement, school security operations, homeland security, and educational facility management to examine practical strategies for protecting students, educators, and visitors while maintaining environments that are welcoming, supportive, and conducive to learning.

Panelists will discuss how school security planning informs site layout, access control, circulation patterns, supervision strategies, emergency readiness, communication protocols, and staff training. The session will also highlight how community trust and relational safety are essential in preventing environments from feeling institutional, restrictive, or fear based.

In addition to planning and operations, the panel will address safety during construction and renovation, where temporary conditions can introduce new vulnerabilities. Participants will learn how to mitigate risks through secure site access planning, contractor screening and coordination, staging and phasing strategies, and communication procedures that maintain safety and continuity while school is in session.

Participants will leave with actionable approaches to shaping school environments that are secure, calm, accessible, and aligned with the well-being and educational goals of the learning community.

1. Integrate safety and security strategies into school planning and architectural design to support the physical safety and psychological wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors.
2. Embed layered security approaches—including access control, passive supervision, circulation design, and technology systems—into learning environments in ways that maintain accessibility and avoid institutional or punitive atmospheres.
3. Coordinate emergency preparedness and response procedures by aligning building systems, operational protocols, staff training, and partnerships with law enforcement and community emergency responders.
4. Develop construction and renovation phasing strategies that protect student and staff safety during active school operations, including secure site access, contractor oversight, staging logistics, and safe circulation routes.

	Anthony Fierro, AIA Chief Administrator of Facilities Services & Capital Projects, Nassau BOCES Speaker bio
	Todd Atkin Law Enforcement Officer, Division of Homeland Security Speaker bio
	Frank Genese, AIA Principal Partner, N2 Design+Architecture Speaker bio
	Walter Rivera Supervisor of Security, Nassau BOCES Speaker bio
	Lee-Thomas Roccanova, PE Executive Manager, Nassau BOCES Speaker bio