Windsor–Essex Catholic District School Board

The Windsor–Essex Catholic District School Board (WECDSB), serving over 23,000 students across 44 schools in southwestern Ontario, was balancing rapid growth with systems that needed modernization. They needed more than just technology — they needed a trusted partner who could help them navigate complexity, recommend the right solutions, and make every dollar count.

That partner was Cloud Managed Networks (CMN).

Over several years, CMN worked side by side with Senior Manager of IT, Tom Renaud, and his team to solve challenges ranging from student safety to legacy systems ready for modernization. The result? Safer schools, streamlined IT management, and cost savings that could be redirected back into classrooms.

At WECDSB, safety extended beyond physical measures to how students felt in their daily environment. A student survey revealed that many avoided using washrooms during the school day because vaping had become a concern.

CMN helped the board explore options and ultimately pilot Verkada vape detectors, paired with cameras placed in hallways outside washroom doors. This gave principals visibility when incidents occurred, without invading student privacy.

“The point wasn’t to chase kids down,” explains Renaud. “It was to change behavior. That’s what made the vape sensors so powerful.”

The results came quickly. Eight of nine high schools reported a noticeable reduction in vaping incidents. Parents were drawn into the conversation, often learning for the first time that their child was vaping, and were provided with resources to support them at home. What began as a technical project ultimately opened up a broader dialogue about student health and wellness.

From the start, CMN approached the relationship as a partnership, listening carefully to the board’s challenges and long-term vision before suggesting solutions.

“With CMN, I never felt like they were trying to sell me something,” recalls Renaud. “They focused on what fit our needs and how to save money, so we could invest in other priorities.”

Verkada stood out because its solutions were designed specifically for education. Beyond vape detection, the platform gave schools a full suite of safety and security tools:

• Student privacy by design: cameras with face blur and privacy zones.

• Smarter access and visitor control: secure entryways, automated door schedules, and real-time guest screening.

• Fast emergency response: one tap lockdowns and instant sharing of live video with first responders.

• Cloud-first simplicity: everything managed in one dashboard for cameras, sensors, and access control.

Together, CMN and Verkada delivered what WECDSB needed most: safer schools, easier management, and technology that protects students without compromising their privacy.

By the time Renaud retired, the board was already planning to expand Verkada cameras across more facilities. More importantly, with CMN as a partner, WECDSB had built a future-proof safety strategy that delivered secure schools, smarter IT management, and lasting value for students and staff.