Since Sept. 11, 2001, the nation has been making changes at
every level to ensure security. This week, the Hanover-Horton School Board took
a step closer to ensuring the security of its students by approving a bid for
$10,265 from Comtronics to install a high-tech system throughout the middle
school and high school buildings.
Superintendent Linda Brian said the new system is much like the
ones used in hotels and hospitals. Instead of regular keys, staff members and
other authorized personnel will be given key cards to unlock only the doors for
which they have clearance. If someone loses their card, it can be
deactivated.
The administration also will be allowed to restrict access to
the building by designating where and when the cards will work.
“There are a lot of people in the community who have keys right
now, including coaches,” said Ron Kinch, high school assistant principal. “With
the new system, their key cards will only work then we want them to.”
Weekends are the biggest problem, Kinch said. There is no one
there to monitor who is coming in and out of the buildings on weekends, which
has caused security concerns.
“We have been fortunate that we’ve avoided any major vandalism
incidents,” Brian said. “But we are concerned about the security of the
building.”
The system, approved Monday, will first be installed at
high-traffic entrances and then at other locations as needed. The remaining
doors will have their outside handles removed so they can only be used to exit
the buildings.
Reprinted with permission from Jackson Citizen
Patriot
Copyright April 22, 2004 | 
