Alabama High School Increases Access Control

Alabama High School Increases Access Control

Guntersville High looks for ways to limit access to classrooms.

  • By Sydny Shepard
  • October 04, 2018

Guntersville High School in Guntersille, Ala. is slated for new security improvements, according to the leaders in The Schools of Guntersville.

The school system has already ensured that there is a school resource officer in every school in the system, but they are now looking into ways of hardening the perimeter of the buildings, especially entrances. 

"We're at the high school improving some of the security entrances at the high school, basically offering multiple security doors to go in, versus the single door we currently have," explained the system's security and safety director Bo McRee. 

Now, when visitors come to the school, they are captured on video surveillance footage and are buzzed into the front area of the school by a secretary. Once inside, there is a front desk and then there are two long hallways on either side that lead to classrooms. McRee says they are working on new security measures to make it harder to gain access into the actual school.

"We're going to take those wings that are on either said of the front desk and those are going to be security doors also," McRee explained. "That will basically stop access to the facility. Then we're going to secure the actual desk behind glass where you're talking through, like at a theatre."

Visitors will have to go through the typical identification and sign-in measures to gain access, and as usual, have a purpose to be there. "We're constantly looking at ways to improve and increase the security and safety, and we won't stop," McRee said, "Even with this."

McRee said the additions are going to cost around $18,000 to $20,000. He expects work to start soon and said it won't take long to finish.

About the Author

Sydny Shepard is the Executive Editor of Campus Security & Life Safety.

Featured

  • Door Hardware and Campus Security: Enhancing Safety in Schools

    The importance of investing in school safety cannot be overstated, but knowing where to start implementation of school safety features can be a challenge. A recent survey by the National Center on Education Statistics found that a quarter of U.S. public schools have classrooms with doors that can't be locked from the inside. Even among schools with doors that do lock, recent legislation reflects a common misconception that simply keeping the doors locked all day will eliminate the potential for an attack, in direct violation of PASS (Partner Alliance for Safer Schools) Guidelines. Read Now

  • Brigham Young University Strengthens Campus Security With Genetec Operations Center

    Genetec Inc, a provider of enterprise physical security software, announced that Brigham Young University's (BYU) has optimized its security operations with the Genetec™ Operations Center work management system. Read Now

  • AI-based Risk Mitigation: The Next Advancement in Video Surveillance and Public Safety

    Safety is at the forefront of every organization and covers a gamut of scenarios, not just weapon-fueled lethal threats. It also includes smaller-scale and everyday situations like slipping hazards, fallen persons, unauthorized vehicles, and more. These issues cause disruptions in daily operations and cost companies and facilities money and downtime, so a fully realized security plan must involve actions that facility personnel should take once a hazard of any size occurs. Informing everyone that a hazard exists, where it’s located, and what actions to take is imperative for maintaining personal safety. Read Now

  • Fort Worth ISD Strengthens Event Safety

    The issue of concealed weapons being introduced into school extracurricular activities, including sporting events and graduations, became a growing concern in communities across the nation. According to the K-12 School Shooting Database, there were at least 202 incidents of gunfire on school grounds in 2024 across the United States, resulting in 56 deaths and 147 injuries, underscoring the urgent need for enhanced safety protocols. Read Now

Most   Popular