Meet Our Security Team
For many of us, the WCA Security Team has been an encouraging response to an otherwise dark necessity of our times. Dan Lard, a key founding member of our security team, recently elaborated on its formation and vision moving forward.
WCA’s Security Team is made entirely of volunteers. What prompted its formation?
The reasons behind our formation are two-fold: First, I believe that we as fathers, and more importantly, as Christians, are called to serve. That service takes different forms at different times in life. For me, I saw a need to improve the security posture of the school. Second, this came in response to the growing trend of threats directed at schools, and in particular, Christian schools.
How did it come together?
It began with a small group of dads who shared the same concern and conviction as I did. They were passionate about addressing the issues and willing to commit time and energy to improving the security of the school. Starting in the Spring of 2023, four of us worked together to clearly identify the need and how we might address it, then presented it to the Board for approval. What began as a small working group has since grown into a ten-man committee, dedicated to protecting the school.
Beyond this team, what other security measures are in development at the school?
As a team, our job is to protect the students and staff at WCA as best as possible with consideration to cultural impact, means, and resources. This mission is simple, but challenging in its execution. We are fortunate to have a diverse team of dads with different experiences and perspectives. Working together, we have identified and prioritized solutions to address the most pressing threats we face. Many of these solutions have been implemented and many more will be implemented in the coming weeks and months.
One of the most visible parts of our committee’s work is our presence during drop-off, pickup, and chapel, but these moments represent only a small portion of the protective measures in place each day. In coordination with WPD, our team provides additional awareness and support throughout the school environment, much of which happens quietly and behind the scenes to ensure a steady, reassuring layer of security for our students and staff at all times.
What is the long-term vision of the security team?
The long-term vision is to have a sustainable, balanced security protocol. The committee will continue to provide a physical presence at critical times during the school year, as well as advise the board on evolving threats and solutions to them. Ultimately, it’s our aim to strike the balance between our students and staff being safe, while using methods and proposing improvements that still feel natural and effective, without being overly intrusive.
In addition, we want our program to act as a catalyst, and perhaps as a model, for other Christian schools in the area and across the country. Ultimately, we want to encourage other communities to take the safety and security of their school into their own hands, get fathers involved, and have real impact.
Closing thoughts
Mission impact is the gauge we use to validate our work. I am very thankful and proud of all the dads that have committed time to serve in this capacity and make a tangible difference to the school’s security. Their service ultimately facilitates the staff to teach, and our children to learn, about the Good, the True, and the Beautiful.
