Drones, Transportation, Heat Safety, and More: July 16–31 Roundup
Missed something over the past two weeks? Here's a roundup of the latest school safety news, research, practitioner insights, and resources published from July 16-31.
Editor's Note
Welcome to the latest edition of the School Security Leadership Roundup!
As schools begin welcoming students back for the 2026-27 school year, this edition highlights the trends we're watching most closely, including drone technology, transportation safety, heat preparedness, emerging research, and practical resources for school safety professionals. Over the past two weeks, we published more than a dozen new articles covering legislation, practitioner insights, and school safety developments from across the country. Below are some of the biggest stories you may have missed.
Thank you for reading, and I hope you find this roundup helpful as you prepare for the new school year!
Amy Rock
Editor-in-Chief, School Security Leadership
Featured Coverage
Back-to-School Safety Trends We're Watching
As students return to school, drone technology, transportation safety, and heat preparedness are emerging as key areas of focus. Explore the latest developments, NCSSD insights, and resources.
⭐ Editor's Picks
Four standout stories from the past two weeks.
Drones in Schools: What School Safety Leaders Are Saying About the Technology
As more districts consider drone technology, school safety leaders are weighing its potential uses, limitations, and operational requirements.
New Research on Building Community Support for School Security Measures
A study of more than 10,000 adults examined whether transparent communication can influence support for active shooter drills, physical security measures, and arming teachers.
What 346,000 Emergency Alerts Reveal About Everyday School Safety
A former principal discusses what new emergency alert findings mean for school leaders and why effective school safety goes far beyond preparing for crisis response.
School Cell Phone Bans by State
States are adopting a growing range of restrictions on student cell phone use, including bell-to-bell bans and instructional-time limits. This regularly updated tracker explains where policies stand across the country.
📰 In the News
The latest school safety news and developments from across the country.
Apalachee School Shooter Sentenced to Life Without Parole
The teen pleaded guilty to all 55 charges stemming from the 2024 attack that killed two students and two teachers.
Apalachee School Shooter's Father Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison
Colin Gray was convicted after prosecutors argued that he ignored warning signs and gave his son the rifle used in the shooting.
🔍 Trends We're Tracking
Emerging issues and long-term developments shaping school safety.
Why Some Schools Are Banning Metal Water Bottles
As reusable metal water bottles have become a daily staple in schools, some districts are banning them over concerns about student safety, concealed prohibited items, and classroom disruptions.
How Artificial Intelligence Is Affecting School Safety
AI is creating new school safety challenges while prompting districts to rethink policies, investigations, and governance. Here's what school safety leaders need to know.
Social Media Lawsuits Highlight Growing Digital Safety Challenges
Social media lawsuits are drawing attention to the growing digital safety and mental health challenges facing K–12 schools.
Protecting Students from School Staff Misconduct: Prevention & Policies
Recent federal action, state initiatives, and high-profile cases are drawing renewed attention to how K-12 schools prevent, identify, and respond to allegations of staff misconduct.
How States Are Strengthening School Threat and Violence Laws
Recent legislation in Alabama and Kentucky is changing how schools respond to threats, violence, and assaults against school employees. Here's what districts should know.
📚 Tools & Resources
Practical guides, templates, reports, and resources to help strengthen school safety programs.
Behavioral Threat Assessment in K–12 Schools
An overview of behavioral threat assessment and management in K-12 schools, featuring research, practitioner insights, best practices, and related resources.
Foundations of School Security Leadership (FoSSL) Certificate Program
Explore the Foundations of School Security Leadership (FoSSL), NCSSD's self-paced online course for school safety professionals, and listen to free audio overviews.
PASS Offers Free Digital Checklists for School Safety Assessments
PASS has made its School Safety & Security Checklists available in a free digital format, helping school safety teams assess campuses, identify security gaps, track progress, and generate reports.
School Cell Phone Policy Toolkit
Download a free school cell phone policy toolkit featuring a real district's cell phone policy, student discipline matrix, and parent communication letter.
2026 Q2 School Security Intelligence Report
Explore key trends identified by NCSSD members, including prevention, transportation safety, staffing, technology, and other issues shaping school security.
🌟 Member Spotlight
Dennis Hill of Breakthrough Public Schools
Learn how Dennis Hill's career in law enforcement led him into school safety, the lessons he's learned along the way, and the advice he has for fellow practitioners working to create safer schools.
Get Involved with School Security Leadership
Have a story idea, research study, case study, practitioner insight, or resource to share with School Security Leadership? Contact Editor-in-Chief Amy Rock or submit a topic proposal.
Interested in partnering with the National Council of School Safety Directors (NCSSD)? Contact Dennis Russo to learn more about sponsorship, advertising, and partnership opportunities.