11/16/2023

Michael Kelly, AIA, ALEP, LEED AP was honored to speak at a recent event hosted by the Pennsylvania School Boards Association focused on two critically important educational topics: school safety and school mental health. Comprised of eight sessions, the event was geared to school board members from across Pennsylvania and preceded the 2023 PASA-PSBA School Leadership Conference at the Kalahari Resort in the Pocono Mountains.

Mike’s session was titled “School Safety Through Design – CPTED (crime prevention through environmental design) Principles for Building and Renovation.” The hourlong program provided some background on the evolution of security practices in educational environments and then explored four core principles of school safety: deterrence, detection, delay, and response. Particular focus was given to the built environment and baseline recommended strategies for aspects such as the campus layout, building perimeter, general building configuration, entry sequence, communication and signage, and spatial access and locking protocols.    

In addition to serving as the principal-in-charge for dozens of major new school construction and renovation projects, Mike is a recognized resource on school security and serves as the architect representative to the Pennsylvania Governor’s School Safety and Security Committee.