ASIS International, the world’s largest association for security management professionals, announced that the CityLab High School in Dallas, TX is the winner of its School Security Grant Competition. In conjunction with the 63rd ASIS International Annual Seminar and Exhibits (ASIS 2017), taking place 25-28 September in Dallas, TX, CityLab High School is receiving a $22,000 grant to pay for upgrades to the school’s camera system, access control system, and classroom intercoms. In addition to the grant, Axis Communications is making an in-kind donation of fixed-dome cameras, access control, and other accessories in order to support the campus-wide upgrade.

“Our number-one concern is the safety of our students, parents, and faculty,” said CityLab High School Principal Tammy Underwood. “The generous contribution by ASIS and Axis Communications provides another layer of security to ensure a safer teaching and learning environment. As a large, urban school district with limited funds, this program provides much-needed support to our security personnel. We thank ASIS for selecting CityLab High School as this year’s grant recipient.”

“ASIS is mission-focused to promote excellence and leadership in the security management profession, and what better way to showcase that commitment than giving back to the host city of our annual seminar,” said Peter J. O’Neil, Executive Vice President and CEO of ASIS International. “This reinvestment in the local community is an essential component of our program and is what makes the ASIS annual event so special. On behalf of ASIS, we congratulate CityLab High School on this award.”

The Dallas Independent School District is opening CityLab High School this fall —its newest transformational school designed specifically for high school students interested in architecture, urban planning, environmental science, and community development. CityLab High School will offer students the opportunity to leverage the city of Dallas as their own hands-on laboratory.

CityLab is faced with a daunting challenge of ensuring a safe and secure environment in an urban city center, with concerns about the school’s proximity to downtown Dallas and a busy interstate highway. The School Security Grant Competition, started by ASIS International and the ASIS Foundation in 2003, plays a critical role in keeping students and teachers safe, secure, and focused on learning.

“CityLab High School stood out from the other nominations we received given its location and the reality that the school’s budget was dedicated to new construction and renovations, limiting its ability to integrate proper security measures,” said ASIS 2017 Host Committee Chairman Martin Cramer, CPP. “Everyone deserves a safe place to teach and learn, and this grant is critical to ensuring the security of this new school.”

​Over the​ past 14 years, the ASIS School Security Grant Competition has awarded more than $500,000 to schools across the United States as part of the organization’s ongoing mission to leave each host city better prepared for what lies ahead.​

“Axis values our partnership with ASIS and we are delighted to participate in this worthy program,” said Steve Darragh, Business Area Director, South Central, Axis Communications, Inc. “We focus on innovating for a smarter, safer world, and in this instance, providing a solution to keep students and faculty safe at City Lab.”