Following a year-long review guided by law enforcement, West Ada is looking to implement enhanced tools within our safety plan—introducing Campus Sentinels and wearable alert technology—to strengthen security across all 59 campuses and foster a more connected, protected environment where students and staff can thrive.
The Enhanced Campus Safety Plan strengthens protection across West Ada Schools by proactively deterring violent incidents. The first part of the plan includes introducing Campus Sentinels, highly trained individuals with law-enforcement backgrounds who have completed a thorough screening process and ongoing, school-specific training. Sentinels will be permitted to concealed carry firearms on West Ada School District property. The second part of the plan includes equipping all WASD staff with wearable alert technology to ensure faster communication during emergencies.
The proposed plan improves emergency preparedness by focusing on prevention and rapid response. A visible, trained security presence on each campus serves as a strong deterrent to violence while ensuring that personnel are available to respond quickly to potential threats. In addition, wearable alert technology reduces response times for both safety and medical incidents and enhances real-time coordination with local law enforcement.
On this page, you will find additional information about the proposed Enhanced Campus Safety Plan, including:
Video overview of the program
FAQs
Click to view on YouTube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=XixS2VW64Vk.
West Ada School District is exploring new layers of security across all 59 schools. A key proposal is the Campus Sentinel Program, designed to complement the work of our existing School Resource Officers (SROs).
Chief Communications Officer Michelle Edmonds recently sat down with Superintendent Dr. Derek Bub before his classroom visits at Eagle High School. Edmonds also spoke with Lt. Shawn Harper of the Meridian Police Department. Together, they explain the need for the program and the “why” behind its development.
In addition to the Sentinel Program, West Ada is evaluating wearable alert technology—a new safety tool that would allow teachers and staff to instantly notify law enforcement in case of an on-campus emergency.
If you don’t have time to watch the full discussion, use the table of contents below to jump to specific topics in the video:
Timestamp | Topic |
|---|---|
0:35 | Who a Sentinel Will Be |
1:16 | Why Not Have Sentinels in Every Building? |
2:07 | The Air Marshal Analogy |
3:06 | Sentinels Will Not Be Security Officers |
3:53 | What a Sentinel’s Day Will Look Like |
5:07 | Wearable Alert Technology — What It Is and How It Works |
7:10 | Mapping Features of the Alert Technology |
9:03 | What Keeps Dr. Bub Up at Night |
9:33 | The Importance of Having a Trained Sentinel in the Building |
10:11 | How West Ada Is Leading the Way |
Frequently Asked Questions
Campus Sentinels
Is a Campus Sentinel a position that an existing employee can apply to fill (in addition to their current role)?
No. Employees cannot hold their current position and serve as a Campus Sentinel. This is a new, stand-alone role open only to highly trained and vetted current or retired law enforcement officers in good standing.
I have a concealed carry permit—am I eligible to apply?
No. A concealed carry permit does not meet the qualifications. Candidates must have completed rigorous Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST), be a current or retired law enforcement officer in good standing, and pass a series of mental health screenings.
Does this policy mean that concealed carry is legal on West Ada campuses?
No. Only employed Campus Sentinels are authorized to carry a concealed weapon on campus. No other weapons of any kind are permitted on West Ada campuses.
What kind of mental health screenings will Campus Sentinels complete before being considered for this position?
All candidates will undergo a psychological evaluation conducted by a licensed psychologist. These evaluations assess stress tolerance, emotional stability, integrity and honesty, decision-making, problem-solving, and adaptability. For more information, see 🔗Proposed Draft of Policy 0506.10 Campus Sentinels.
Will teachers and staff know the identity of Campus Sentinels?
Yes. Sentinels will be integrated into each campus community and will be known to staff, just like any other district employee.
While Campus Sentinels are on duty, what will they be doing?
Their primary role is to support the safety of students and staff by actively moving throughout the school. Duties may include assisting with medical emergencies, monitoring school perimeters during recess or breaks, and responding to critical safety incidents.
Will there always be a Campus Sentinel in my school?
No. Sentinels will rotate across campuses, similar to SROs. The district will deploy them discreetly and randomly to maintain strategic ambiguity.
Can Campus Sentinels intervene in non–gun-related violence, such as a fight in the hallway?
Yes. Sentinels are part of School Safety Teams and respond to a range of situations—from medical events to critical incidents. They are trained similarly to first responders and SROs, prioritizing child safety, de-escalation, and appropriate use of force. Firearms are a last resort.
Why can’t WASD hire more SROs?
Campus Sentinels complement, not replace, SROs. They fulfill a different role by serving as an additional layer of in-building emergency response and acting as a visible deterrent to violent incidents. For more information on the distinctions, see the comparison chart below.
What is the difference between Campus Sentinels and SROs?
Wearable Alert Technology
What is wearable alert technology?
Wearable alert technology is a small, discreet badge that allows all West Ada School District employees to request immediate safety support with the push of a button. During an incident, the badge sends an alert to the school’s Safety Team with the exact location and time of the event. Staff can also initiate a lockdown instantly using the device—notifying local law enforcement.
How will this technology improve safety in our buildings?
This technology significantly reduces response times by removing delays and human error amidst stressful safety events. This technology will ensure accurate information is transmitted to School Safety Teams and/or law enforcement immediately.
Will wearable alert technology allow the district to track me when I’m not at work?
No. The system will only function within the geo-fence of West Ada School District campuses. Outside that boundary, all alert and location services are completely disabled.
What if someone pushes the button and there is no emergency?
The system is intentionally designed to minimize accidental alerts. Activating the badge requires purposeful action—users must press the button multiple times for it to send a signal. Three presses trigger a safety alert to the School Safety Team, while eight or more presses are required to initiate a lockdown, which alerts the Safety Team, all students and staff, and local law enforcement. All staff will be thoroughly trained before the alert badges are implemented.
