How South Washington County Schools Cut Investigation Time in Half with Verkada Intelligent Security
South Washington County Schools replaced failing hard-drive security cameras with cloud-based Verkada video security, then cut investigation time by 50% and shut down a rack and a half of servers. CIT designed the network, deployed the system and supports it.
At a glance
District | South Washington County Schools, Minnesota |
Size | 19,000 students; sixth-largest district in the state |
Deployed | 1,800+ Verkada cameras and 60 Verkada intercoms |
Headline result | Investigation time cut by 50% |
Also | One network instead of two; 1.5 server racks retired |
Partner | CIT, the district’s technology partner for 10+ years |
The challenge: aging school security cameras and two separate networks
When a camera goes down, someone has to find out why, and a small team can only chase so many failures. The district’s older school security cameras recorded to traditional hard drives. As those drives aged, they failed, which meant camera downtime, constant maintenance and gaps in video coverage.
Two more pressures stacked on top:
- Two networks to manage. Cameras and data ran on separate networks, which doubled the work for a lean IT and safety team.
- Intercoms that were wearing out. The legacy school intercom system was hardwired to fixed locations and failing with age, so staff had to be at a specific desk to let visitors in.
The district needed a video security system its team could run without constant repairs.
The solution: cloud-based school video security, intercoms and one network
The district chose Verkada cloud-based physical security and relied on CIT, its technology partner for more than a decade, to design and deliver it. CIT handled the network design and architecture, the deployment and ongoing support, and scheduled work around school hours so students and staff stayed undisturbed. The district’s safety and security manager credits that familiarity with its buildings and the realities of working in a school.
What the district now runs:
- 1,800+ Verkada cameras and 60 intercoms on one cloud platform. The new intercoms replace the old fixed-location system.
- One network for cameras and data. Both share the same infrastructure, each on its own VLAN. According to Verkada, its cameras draw about 20-50 Kbps in steady state, and the district can schedule uploads for off-peak hours.
- Automated access management. SCIM integration with Active Directory means onboarding and offboarding automatically update camera and access permissions.
- Flexible school intercoms. Staff answer from an iPad desk station or the Verkada Pass mobile app, and call routing sends unanswered calls to another team member.
The project is one example of CIT’s physical security cameras and sensors work, backed by managed IT for schools for the network underneath.
The results: faster investigations, simpler IT and fewer complaints
- Investigations take half the time. Video analytics and search tools, including AI search by criteria such as clothing description, cut investigation time by 50%.
- Footage moves faster. Staff share secure links instead of mailing physical copies for investigations and insurance claims.
- Less hardware, less heat. The district shut down a rack and a half of servers, which cut cooling needs and freed up space.
- One simpler network. Camera traffic no longer strains bandwidth, and the two networks merged into one.
- Fewer complaints. Usability and downtime complaints dropped to near zero.
- Clearer entry accountability. Audiovisual logs record every intercom exchange, and nearby cameras capture the same moments. Unanswered calls reach other staff, such as a custodian, so someone can always let a visitor in.
“The system has been a tremendous success for our district.” Robert Berkowitz, Director of Technology, South Washington County Schools
Questions districts ask about cloud video security
Can a school district run cameras and data on the same network? South Washington County Schools does. Cameras and data share one network, each on its own VLAN. Verkada reports its cameras use about 20-50 Kbps in steady state, and the district can schedule uploads for off-peak hours.
How do cloud cameras help a small IT team? Failing hard drives were the district’s main upkeep problem. With cloud storage, the team no longer chases drive failures, and SCIM integration with Active Directory handles camera and access permissions when staff join or leave.
How do schools share video with insurers or investigators? Staff send secure links instead of mailing physical copies, which speeds up investigations and insurance claims.
What’s next
The district is testing air quality sensors, including for temperature swings in critical spaces like the data center, and weighing an expansion of its access control system.
Running a district with a lean IT team? Talk with CIT about school security and network projects built around your buildings, your staff and your schedule.
