Empowering Safer Schools: How Nielson Communications
Transformed District-Wide Radio Communications for Lake Geneva Schools

Executive Summary

Lake Geneva Schools in southeastern Wisconsin faced a critical communications challenge: outdated, inconsistent, and unreliable two-way radio systems across its campuses. After meeting Nielson Communications at the 2024 Wisconsin State Education Convention, the
district embarked on a full overhaul of its UHF radio infrastructure. The result was a custom-engineered, district-wide solution that significantly enhanced daily coordination, emergency preparedness, and operational flexibility. This project showcases how trusted partnerships and future-focused technology can elevate safety and communication in education.

The Challenge

Before partnering with Nielson Communications, Lake Geneva Schools operated an array of different radio systems, including analog, digital, repeated, and non-repeated. Each building had its own isolated approach to communication, often lacking coverage, backup power, or
connectivity with other campuses. East View Elementary, for example, experienced regular communication failures where teachers missed calls from the office. Meanwhile, the district’s oldest school had an analog repeater with no power backup, posing a serious risk during
outages.

More critically, there was no documentation or institutional knowledge about how the systems functioned or connected. The lack of a unified communication infrastructure created vulnerabilities in both day-to-day operations and emergency response protocols.

The Search for a Solution

Director of Technology James Adams had previously overseen a smaller radio upgrade in another district and knew the importance of finding the right partner. A conversation with Nielson Communications’ Mike Dwarshuis at a state convention quickly evolved into a collaborative
exploration of what a modern school radio system should be.

“From the beginning, the Nielson team impressed Lake Geneva with their thoughtful approach, asking smart questions, listening carefully, and never resorting to high-pressure sales tactics.” Their goal was clear: to design a communications solution that would be rock-solid, scalable,
and tailored to the district’s unique structure and future needs.

The Partnership in Action

Over 18 months, the partnership grew from consultation to implementation. Nielson’s engineering expert, Andrew Mohl, and field technician Dalton Langberg, worked closely with LGS to understand not only the technical needs of each building but also the operational workflows of administrators, custodial staff, and emergency responders.

One standout example of Nielson’s problem-solving mindset came during the installation in the district’s historic building. The challenge: upgrade the system without losing communication during installation. The solution: relocate the old repeater and install temporary antennas to maintain connectivity, allowing uninterrupted operations. Adams noted, “I don’t know if every company would go out of their way to meet our needs like you guys did.”

The Solution

The upgraded communications system now provides district-wide connectivity with building-level resiliency. Each school operates as a silo with independent repeated communication capability, but is also networked together to seamlessly connect with others during district-wide
emergencies. Repeaters, power backups, and programming flexibility were implemented to ensure long-term adaptability.

This comprehensive two-way radio solution addressed multiple issues:

● Improved two-way radio communication
● Elimination of communication dead zones
● Increased safety via reliable, building-wide coverage
● Future-ready programming without requiring new hardware purchases

The Results

While full rollout is scheduled for the coming school year, early results from summer staff and building administrators are overwhelmingly positive:

● Crystal-clear audio across all zones
● Seamless communication between staff and district operations
● Higher stakeholder confidence in emergency readiness

Importantly, the new system is being integrated into Lake Geneva’s updated school safety response plans, giving staff peace of mind and improving incident response protocols.

Lessons Learned & Key Takeaways

This project highlighted several success factors:

● Collaborative consultation outperforms cookie-cutter solutions

● Technical flexibility is key to future-proofing educational systems

● Empathy and responsiveness from vendors make a lasting impact

For any school district evaluating their radio systems, James Adams advises finding a partner that listens and isn’t afraid to challenge assumptions. “NCI had the confidence to say, ‘That’s a good idea, but here’s a better one.’ And they always backed it up with sound reasoning.”

Testimonial

“We couldn’t have asked for a better partner. From Mike in sales to Andrew in engineering, Dalton in the field, and Stephanie in the office, every interaction reflected professionalism and genuine care. Your team didn’t just support us. You educated and empowered us. I’d recommend Nielson Communications to any district looking to improve their communications and safety.”

— James Adams, Director of Technology, Lake Geneva Schools

About Nielson Communications

Nielson Communications is a trusted provider of commercial two-way radio systems, security technology, and communication infrastructure across Wisconsin. Specializing in K-12 education, public safety, manufacturing, and government sectors, NCI offers solutions including:

● Two-way radio system design and installation
● School safety radio communications planning
● Horizon PoC solutions for education and public safety
● Cellular and public safety signal boosters for improved coverage within buildings

Looking to improve two-way radio communication in your district?

Let Nielson Communications help you build a reliable, secure, and scalable communication system. Visit our website, email sales@nielsoncom.com, or call 920-494-1828 to schedule a consultation.