Ontario Schools Test New Access Control Measures

Ontario Schools Test New Access Control Measures

Westgate Collegiate and Vocational Institute is now using a key fob entry system for interior doors. The schools already required a swipe card with the user’s photo and job title for access to exterior doors.

  • By Jessica Davis
  • March 04, 2019

The Lakehead District Public School Board is running trials of new security measures at two Thunder Bay schools this year.

Westgate Collegiate and Vocational Institute is now using a key fob entry system for interior doors. The schools already required a swipe card with the user’s photo and job title for access to exterior doors.

"That pilot went well, so we decided to do an interior door pilot at a secondary school, and we installed the same type of card readers to control access in and out of the classrooms," said Jim Desaulniers, Manager of Property Services.

All teachers and instructional staff at Westgate are required to use the cards. Students are able to exit classrooms, but someone must open the door to let them inside.

"It's still in the pilot process, but so far the feedback is positive. Teachers control the access to the classroom, and that gives them a sense of control," Desaulniers said.

Desaulniers said the board’s Safe Schools Committee will review the policy and procedures to see if they need to be adjusted before the security system is expanded to the district’s other high schools.

The board is piloting a new camera entry system at the main entrance of Sherbrooke Public School. The system is called Eye Doors.

According to Desaulniers, many of the board’s schools have “poor line-of-sight access,” meaning staff can’t see who’s at the front door, and this system will help with that.

"We piloted Sherbrooke because it doesn't have a very good sightline. The system is basically an audio/visual camera in the vestibule,” Desaulniers said. “When someone comes in, it rings at the secretary's desk, or it can go to the principal or vice-principal smart phone so they can let someone into the school if they're not in the office."

He said the old system required staff to be tied to their desks in order to monitor access to the campus. The new technology allows them to “know exactly who is in their school at all times,” he said.

The board plans to expand the Eye Doors system to other campuses where office staff don’t have a clear sightline to the front doors.

The board is also in the process of changing the keys to all door locks to increase school security.

"We're going to re-key the whole system so that we're starting fresh and we have a record of everybody that has keys," Desaulniers said.

About the Author

Jessica Davis is the Associate Content Editor for 1105 Media.

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