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.

Featured

  • Electrified Latch Retraction Locks Key Benefits for Retrofits

    Building owners and facility managers increasingly rely on electrified hardware to enhance security while meeting accessibility standards. Among these technologies, electrified or motorized latch retraction locks are especially effective for retrofit projects where existing door and frame conditions complicate upgrades. Latch retraction capable locks combine security, accessibility and code compliance benefits, making them ideal for retrofitting fire-rated and non-rated openings in schools, healthcare facilities, commercial buildings and more. Read Now

  • How Cloud Security Solutions Are Transforming Campus Safety

    Campus administrators today face a challenging mandate: deliver stronger security across their facilities while working within tighter budget constraints. From school districts focused on student safety to hospitals protecting patients and staff, the question remains the same: how do you build security infrastructure that evolves with your needs without requiring massive capital investments? Read Now

  • Rethinking Campus Security From the Inside

    For decades, campus security strategies focused on keeping threats outside school walls. But since the tragedy at Columbine High School, data has shown that many attacks begin inside the building, often in classrooms and corridors. This shift has prompted schools to rethink security from the inside and place greater emphasis on interior elements such as classroom doors. This shift is evidenced by a new generation of classroom door systems engineered to delay inside intruders and an ASTM standard that raises the bar on how these systems must be designed to defend against attack. Read Now

  • AI in Security: Advancing Campus Safety and Considerations for Implementing

    Artificial intelligence (AI) continues to capture attention across every sector, and the physical security industry is no exception. Once seen as experimental, AI-enabled analytics now underpin how organizations monitor environments, detect threats, and make decisions. What was once futuristic is now a practical necessity for safety professionals managing growing volumes of data, tighter resources, and increasing expectations for faster, more accurate responses. Read Now

Most   Popular