What’s the real secret to transforming school safety? It’s not just policies or protocols — it’s people working together, across agencies, communities, and even states.

In this episode of The Sound Off on School Safety, Michele Gay talks with Shauntelle Cota and Rhett Larsen of the Utah School Safety Center about how Utah built a true culture of safety statewide. From landmark legislation to lessons learned from other states, they share how cooperation, consistency, and student voice are reshaping safety across Utah — and what every state can learn from their approach.

Shauntelle and Rhett open up about the heavy lift of turning laws into lived culture, how they balance physical security with climate and connection, and why in school safety, we can never declare the work finished.

In this conversation:

• The cooperation that powers Utah’s “school safety revolution”

• Why common language is the foundation for a culture of safety

• How Utah turned tragedy and legislation into momentum for change

• The balance between physical safety, culture, and climate

• What it takes to support schools without overwhelming them

• Why student voice must shape every safety plan

• The reminder that in school safety, “we will never arrive” — the work is ongoing
  

👉 Listen now to discover the secret behind Utah’s progress — and how your state or community can learn from it.

Visit safeandsoundschools.org to explore resources, tools, and more ways to take action in your school community.

Guest Links:

Utah School Safety Centre

Shauntelle on Linkedin