Schools Get New Vestibules
Dr. Jason Barnett, DeKalb County Schools Superintendent, spoke with Mountain Valley News (MVN) about new safety measures the board is implementing this new school year. In an attempt to cut down on the number of unknown or unwanted school visitors, the county adds vestibules to schools.
Dr. Barnett stated, “ To be honest, I hate the fact that we have to make these changes, but the reality is we have had people walk up on all of our campuses that have no business being there.” These new changes are an attempt to correct this problem.
First of all, school visitors will enter into vestibules at the main entrances of both elementary and high school buildings. Vestibules are small rooms next to the outer door connected to the rest of the building. These rooms serve as entry points for all school visitors. According to Barnett, the county is equipping each vestibule with a check-in window. Office personnel will greet visitors at the window, ask for their driver’s license, scan the license as a security check, and if all is clear, print out a picture ID for the visitor. He or she will then be allowed access to the school. Barnett added, “This is not necessarily something we want to do, but in today’s society, we need to be aware of who is on our campuses and accessing our hallways. We need to know who is in our buildings at any given time.”
Faculty members will receive identification badges instead of door keys for entry into school buildings. Teachers will use badges as card keys; they swipe the badges to open a door. If a teacher needs to leave the building, he/she will be able to gain entry back into the building without assistance from someone else. They may use the badge as they transport students from place to place.
During the opening hours of school, school officials will unlock the main entrance doors, and school personnel will line the halls to greet students as they arrive on campus. Once school starts, the doors will automatically lock, and the new entry procedure will be activated.
MVN asked Barnett if the new procedure would change drop-off and pick-up routines for parents. Barnett stated, “Every school is a little bit different on their drop-off and pick-up routines. Some schools will make minor adjustments, but individual principals will decide on those changes and will inform parents about those changes.”
Barnett added that most schools should have the vestibules in place and ready to use by the end of the second week of school. The county continues work on fencing at area schools that began last year.
Barnett concluded, “ I am excited to greet our students and welcome them back. We have a great opportunity to transform the way we do things and grow our school system.”
As the county adds vestibules to schools, hopefully, the number of unknown or unwanted school visitors will decrease.