What Peer Districts Are Actually Spending on Video Security
Why Benchmarks Matter
When you walk into a budget meeting and say ‘districts like ours are spending $X per student on video security,’ it immediately reframes the conversation from ‘should we spend?’ to ‘are we spending enough?’ Peer benchmarks are the most powerful tool in your budget justification toolkit.
Per-Student Spending Ranges
| District Size | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small (<2,000 students) | $8–$12 | $15–$20 | $25–$35 |
| Medium (2,000–10,000) | $6–$10 | $12–$18 | $20–$30 |
| Large (10,000+) | $4–$8 | $10–$15 | $18–$25 |
Per-Camera Annual Cost Ranges
| System Type | Per Camera / Year |
|---|---|
| On-prem NVR (no AI) | $50–$120 |
| Traditional VMS | $120–$250 |
| Cloud-native with AI | $150–$300 |
| Full rip-and-replace (amortized) | $350–$600 |
The lowest per-camera cost is not always the best value. Factor in labor savings, investigation time reduction, and proactive alert capabilities when comparing total cost of ownership.
How Districts Are Structuring Investments
- Phase 1 (Year 1): High-priority cameras at entrances and parking lots, funded by safety grant
- Phase 2 (Year 2): Interior hallways and common areas, funded by operational budget
- Phase 3 (Year 3): Full campus coverage, funded by ongoing levy or subscription reallocation
- Multi-year contracts with annual payment plans to spread cost across budget cycles
Using Benchmarks in Your Business Case
Position your proposed investment relative to the median. If you’re below median, frame it as ‘catching up to peers.’ If you’re at or above, frame it as ‘maintaining our leadership position in student safety.’ Either way, the benchmark creates an external reference point that depersonalizes the budget request.
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