?Lord Baden Powell Elementary has been selected as the winner of the ASIS International and ASIS Foundation 2015 School Security Funding Competition. One of nine schools in West Anaheim's Magnolia School District, Lord Baden Powell will receive $20,000 through the ASIS Foundation for enhancements to its security systems.

ASIS began this competition in 2003 as a way to give back to the community hosting the Annual Seminar and Exhibits. Its goal is to encourage local schools to assess the security issues that confront their buildings, staff, and students each day. This year's competition was coordinated by Cliff Breeden, a member of the Host Chapter Seminar Committee.

To compete for the award, school administrators in Orange County were asked to prepare short essays discussing how particular security concerns affect their educational goals for students. They were then asked to suggest how they would use the prize money to address those concerns and improve the school's overall security.

"We are excited that Baden Powell has won the ASIS essay competition. The donated funds provided by ASIS will be used to install 13 security cameras throughout the Baden Powell campus," says Alejandro Flores, assistant superintendent, Magnolia School District. This new camera system will help improve the safety and security for the students and staff of Baden Powell. "We want to thank ASIS members for their generosity and commitment to school security and safety," adds Flores.

The mission of Lord Baden Powell is to "educate students in a caring and safe environment," wrote Principal Bill Bailey in the application. The school serves 840 preschool through 6th grade students, including 70 students who are severely disabled. Security concerns have a dual focus: communications with students, teachers, and staff during lockdowns, and campus security during nonschool hours.

Lockdowns are communicated by ringing a bell and making an announcement, explains Bailey. In some classrooms, the bell cannot be heard or is barely audible. In the mornings, school administrators often find beer bottles, marijuana canisters, knives, and graffiti left on the grounds by outsiders. Two computers were also stolen from classrooms.

"When students are in an environment that has been compromised by vandalism or theft, they are distracted from their learning," says Bailey. The security cameras will allow the school to enhance communications during lockdowns and monitor the school campus. "Both will provide a safer learning environment for all."

A committee comprised of security management professionals from local chapters judged the submissions. Host Chapter Committee Chair Susan Walker, CPP, will present the award during Thursday's Closing Luncheon.�