11/18/2025
School Safety Assessments: The Hidden Risks of Vendor-Driven Recommendations
Why School Districts Must Guard Against Conflicts of Interest in Security Evaluations
Curtis S. Lavarello
Executive Director, School Safety Advocacy Council
As concerns about school safety continue to grow, many districts turn to outside experts for security assessments. However, when the companies conducting these evaluations also sell the very products they recommend—such as panic buttons, window film, and surveillance cameras—school leaders may unwittingly expose their communities to significant risks and liability.
The most obvious concern is the inherent conflict of interest. A company hired to assess vulnerabilities may have a strong incentive to recommend its own products as solutions, regardless of whether these products are the best fit for the school’s unique needs. This practice can lead to inflated costs and potentially unnecessary expenditures, diverting precious resources from other critical areas such as mental health services, staff training, or building maintenance.
More troubling, though, is the possibility that these vendor-driven recommendations might not actually improve safety—and could even increase risks to students and staff. For example, a focus on hardware and technology might overlook more effective, holistic strategies, such as fostering positive school climates or updating emergency response protocols. Additionally, if the assessment is biased toward a narrow set of products, districts may miss out on innovative or more robust solutions offered by other providers.
Recognizing these dangers, some school districts have implemented policies that prohibit companies from both assessing safety needs and selling products to the district. Such policies are designed to ensure that recommendations remain objective and are based solely on what is best for the safety of students and staff. By upholding these standards, school leaders can preserve the integrity of the assessment process and avoid the pitfalls of vendor-driven decision-making.
Ultimately, the safety of schools depends not just on the products installed, but on the quality and impartiality of the advice that guides those decisions.
School districts are urged to remain vigilant, carefully vet assessment providers, and adopt clear policies to prevent conflicts of interest—protecting both their budgets and, most importantly, the well-being of their students and staff.
For additional information, go to www.schoolsafety911.org
