First responders are critical in any emergency, and Status Solutions Network (SSN) is redefining the role of the first responder within schools. Their platform enables people already in the building—educators and staff—to take immediate, informed action through the devices they use every day. This capability enables educators to close the gap between emergency and response, and through a national partnership with Verizon, this solution is accessible not only to the districts that need them most, but to all of them.
It's been a welcome addition to southern Ohio’s rural Zane Trace School District, where it can take up to 12 minutes for traditional first responders to arrive. For Superintendent Ty Wertman, who has been part of the community since he was in kindergarten, those 12 minutes are a lifetime. Wertman has served the district as a teacher, counselor, and principal. Having faced the reality of a 12-minute response lag and the constant struggle of funding, the solution has become the district's most powerful tool in an emergency.
“Our ability to communicate internally cannot be overstated. We need to act confidently and quickly and have a plan in place before those first responders are able to get here,” Wertman said.
SSN is addressing safety needs and clearing funding hurdles by connecting local businesses and schools, setting a new benchmark for school safety.
Fighting for every dollar
Funding can become a barrier to tech upgrades in any organization, but school funding is particularly complex, and many schools face an uphill battle just to fund the basics. Schools accept financial support from multiple sources, leading to a patchwork of solutions and lengthy timelines.
“You may be tackling a critical security shortfall but may not hear about it for six or seven months. That’s why we have to be as creative as possible and seek alternate funding sources. We try and do everything we can to fight for every dollar,” Wertman said.
These challenges are especially common in rural districts and schools with limited IT infrastructure. Traditional government grants are often limited in how they can be used, making it difficult to address evolving safety needs. Even when funding is available, school districts like Zane Trace have to deal with inconsistent technology maintenance and unreliable Wi-Fi networks.
“Before we discovered Status Solutions, our safety and communications operations were rudimentary,” Wertman said. “We knew that there were certain areas that we wanted to upgrade, and communications was absolutely one of them. But a district's financial situation dictates how far they can go.”
If kids are coming to school and don't feel safe, they're not going to learn. If a teacher is coming in and they don't feel safe, they're going to find a job elsewhere. Together with Status Solutions Network, we’re creating the safest environment we possibly can.
Ty Wertman, Superintendent, Zane Trace School District
A community-powered approach to safety
SSN solves the disconnect between need and capability. The technology from its parent company, Status Solutions, integrates disparate safety systems into a single, easy-to-use platform that simplifies response in high-pressure moments. A single button can initiate a lockdown, alerting authorities and instantly notifying building staff of an intruder or medical emergencies.
“I can't say enough good things about the people at Status Solutions. They’ve helped us from the first step and it really is a win-win,” Wertman said.
SSN's differentiator is a community-centric funding model that provides schools with critical technology at zero cost.
Funding comes from local businesses and corporate sponsors. Unlike traditional grants, which are often earmarked for specific uses, schools can use SSN funds for unique needs like hiring security personnel or adding cameras—and there’s no lengthy approval process.
The motivation for the partnership is both practical and altruistic for local business partners like Kingston National Bank.
“Students are one of the most valuable assets to our community,” said Marty Ford, vice president of marketing for Kingston National Bank. “This program allowed us to invest in every student that walks through the doors of the school. It's a no-brainer to be involved.”
While there’s a feel-good element, SSN Program Manager Rachel Zeek added that local businesses also get exposure for their membership.
“Our model allows for them to be seen in the community as a business that cares,” Zeek said.
The partnership benefits everyone involved:
- Schools receive life-saving technology and direct funding.
- Local businesses expand their visibility, connect with a loyal audience, support community wellbeing, and demonstrate impactful corporate social responsibility (CSR).
- National partners like Verizon broaden their impact while delivering critical infrastructure, drive local value, and provide the foundation to scale these safety solutions.
“Status Solutions Network has given us the safety platform we need and additional funding that helped us tackle other security upgrades that might have been considered wants instead of needs,” Wertman said. “Having that extra funding has been crucial.”
Always-on communication in a class of its own
Technology is only as good as the network it’s on. Status Solutions leverages more than 4,500 Verizon-connected devices to create a reliable cellular backbone that operates independent of any school’s individual network, which may fail or become compromised.
“Verizon is a natural strategic partner for Status Solutions Network,” said SSN Program Manager Cassie Collins. “Its commitment to community and reliable connectivity is extremely important to what we do. Our relationship with Verizon has truly helped with our local memberships and national sponsorship conversations. They’re a trusted network and that's why we use them.”
Before this technology, existing communication limitations made it more difficult for Zane Trace schools to respond effectively.
“Now, we feel confident that should any response need to take place, we can respond more quickly and confidently,” Wertman said.
Verizon is a natural strategic partner for Status Solutions Network. Its commitment to community and reliable connectivity is extremely important to what we do.
Cassie Collins, Program Manager, Status Solutions Network
This program allowed us to invest in every student that walks through the doors of the school. It's a no-brainer to be involved.
Marty Ford, Vice President of Marketing, Kingston National Bank
Driving behavior change
At Zane Trace, flexible funding and greater visibility have led to proactive changes, like hiring a School Resource Officer (SRO) and installing sensors on every door. Schools can also address smaller risks more effectively. One of the more common examples involves leaving doors propped open. Real-time alerts have reduced the weekly occurrence to almost never.
More importantly, technology has influenced a shift in behavior.
“People are much more conscientious about closing doors knowing our system tracks them. It just makes everybody feel better knowing that campus is more secure,” Wertman said.
A deeply personal mission to protect the future
Even though the solution looks different for every school, the SSN platform brings disparate systems together to make a school community safer. Ideally, that protection extends to schools nationwide.
“Our goal is to be in every county in America, to make sure that every school in every community is supported,” Zeek said.
By reducing uncertainty around emergencies, the partnership creates an environment where teachers and students focus on learning, not risk.
“If kids are coming to school and don't feel safe, they're not going to learn. If a teacher is coming in and they don't feel safe, they're going to find a job elsewhere,” Wertman said. “Together with Status Solutions Network, we’re creating the safest environment we possibly can.”
Through its partnership with Verizon, Status Solutions Network is elevating school safety and empowering communities.
Our goal is to be in every county in America, to make sure that every school in every community is supported.
Rachel Zeek, Program Manager, Status Solutions Network
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