Texas School District Ramps Up Access Control

Texas School District Ramps Up Access Control

Schools in Kyle, Texas are looking to increase security with one-point access, secure vestibules.

  • By Sydny Shepard
  • October 19, 2018

Hays Consolidated Independent School District officials are looking to ramp up their efforts to improve security. On Sept. 24, the HCISD Board of Trustees approved $205,186 for the construction of security vestibules in the entryways of five schools. 

Existing vestibules on some campuses in the direction will receive an upgrade while some campuses will receive entirely new set-ups. 

In these new and upgraded vestibules, visitors are required to use the main entrance and check in with the front desk staff at all schools in the district. These vestibules will ensure there is a layer of security between visitors and staff, especially when the visitor is unauthorized to come to campus or is dangerous. 

To secure the vestibules, security cameras, locks and protective glass barriers will be used. 

“We’ve learned a lot in the past several years between acts of school violence, so in addition to improving areas we need to improve, we’re also expanding safety measures,” HCISD Director of Safety and Security Phillip Taylor said. “One of the things we know we need to improve are some of our older buildings.”

The new security features will be installed over the winter break and will be ready to be used when students return to school after the New Year. 

"There is not one thing that will make a school entirely safe," HCISD Chief Communication Officer Tim Savoy said. "We're doing a lot of big and small things that will add up to make the schools as safe as possible."

About the Author

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

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