Waukesha Schools: Revolutionizing School Security with Verkada
Institution: School District of Waukesha
Industry: Education
Students & Staff: 12,000+
Facilities: 24
HBS Service: Physical Security with Verkada
To enhance school security and empower staff with real-time response, the School District of Waukesha turned to HBS to implement a complete Verkada security solution, integrating Verkada cameras, access control, guest check-in, and environment sensors into a unified, cloud-based platform. This streamlined SDW's security management, enabling instant alerts, proactive monitoring, and improved safety across 24 school facilities.
- Real-time alerts
- Faster response to incidents
- Empowered staff
- A safer school environment
Challenge: Outdated School Security System Left Gaps in Safety
For Waukesha School District—the seventh-largest in the state of Wisconsin with over 12,000 students and staff—school security was about more than updating equipment. It was about enabling real-time responses to incidents before they escalated.
Outdated school security cameras and a disconnected door access system left safety teams reacting after the fact. Principals and administrators lacked instant alerts, forcing them to manually track down incidents and individuals.
Steve Schlomann, CIO/CTO of Waukesha School District, described the frustration of managing separate systems that didn’t communicate. Doors left ajar and incidents caught on grainy video were reported hours too late. The district needed a solution that provided real-time alerts, integrated video, and access controls, and did so with ease of use for principals, office personnel, and security officials who had no time to waste on technical roadblocks.
Solution: Comprehensive Security with Verkada, Backed by HBS Expertise
Waukesha turned to HBS, a trusted partner with a strong presence in school safety, to identify a solution that could bring all their security needs under one roof. Verkada’s cloud-based, device-agnostic platform emerged as the clear choice, offering seamless integration for video surveillance, door access, visitor management, and environmental sensors.
HBS began with a detailed needs assessment across all 24 district buildings. With their local expertise and long-standing relationship with the district, the HBS team walked each site with Waukesha’s administration, safety teams, and principals to understand blind spots, gather feedback, and plan an effective camera and access control layout.
The goal was a hassle-free experience where users could access all security data through one platform, from any device.
Key Features of the Verkada Solution
- Unified Security Management: Waukesha’s new system unified cameras, door access, guest check-in, and environmental monitoring into a single interface, accessible on any device—a big deal for a district where Apple devices dominate.
- Real-Time Alerts and Video Feeds: Safety personnel and school admins could now receive live alerts and instantly access camera feeds or door status with a simple tap, eliminating the need for time-consuming data retrieval.
- Phased Rollout and Training: HBS orchestrated a phased rollout during the school year, transitioning buildings one at a time. Weekly project meetings kept administrators and staff informed, with hands-on support and training that empowered end-users to manage their new tools without needing technical help.
Results: Smarter School Safety and Security » Peace of Mind
Faster Incident Response and Increased Proactivity
Since implementing the Verkada solution, Waukesha has transformed how it handles daily security tasks. From tracking student “runners” who leave buildings unexpectedly to managing lockdowns with a single tap, the district’s safety teams now respond to incidents with precision and speed.
Empowered Staff and Reduced Reliance on Technical Resources
The ease of Verkada’s platform has empowered end-users across Waukesha schools. Principals, office staff, and safety teams can now access video feeds, receive alerts, and even export footage themselves—tasks that previously required technical support from IT or facilities.
District-Wide Efficiency Gains
With less time spent managing discipline issues, school leaders have more capacity to focus on education. Incidents are resolved faster, and the district has even observed a reduction in disciplinary issues as students become aware of increased security monitoring, including vape sensors. “It’s a huge time-saver for us,” Schlomann emphasized, adding that the district is now “less reactive, more proactive.”
Scalable, Future-Ready School Security
HBS designed Waukesha’s security infrastructure to be scalable, accommodating additional Verkada sensors, cameras, or access points as the district grows or adapts to new security needs. With a flexible setup and cloud-based storage, the district is positioned to stay ahead of security threats without the need for frequent hardware overhauls.
A Safer, More Responsive School Environment
Thanks to the partnership with HBS and Verkada, Waukesha School District now has a strong, proactive approach to school security that empowers staff and gives peace of mind to parents and administrators alike.
Through real-time data and intuitive tools, Waukesha has shifted from a post-incident review approach to one where action is taken in the moment, ensuring a safer environment for students and staff.
For schools considering a security upgrade, Schlomann’s advice is simple: “Get a system that lets your people take action when it counts. HBS and Verkada have given us that—our team is more capable, our schools are safer, and our focus is back where it belongs: on our students.”
