Alabama District Steps up Physical Security on Campuses

Alabama District Steps up Physical Security on Campuses

Madison County Schools are improving physical security at all campuses in the district to protect students.

  • By Jessica Davis
  • May 13, 2019

Madison County Schools are improving physical security at all campuses in the district to protect students.

When asked about security projects for the upcoming school year, district security officials said they plan to add bulletproof windows, more security cameras and outdoor speaker systems to all 29 district schools.

"We're here to protect the kids, and protect the kids first. That's our No. 1 priority. That's the way we're going to keep it at all times," said Kerry Wilkerson, Chief Operations Officer. Wilkerson oversees many of the district’s safety and security initiatives.

According to Wilkerson, one of the district’s first projects is to implement a concept called “total doors.” A “total door” is a two-layer door, positioned in the front office of a school. It will allow school staff to access the school using keycards, and can be locked down at any point to contain a threat to one small area.

"If somebody gets past that first barrier, we want a second barrier before they can actually get to the kids," Wilkerson said.

Madison County Schools will also be installing an outdoor speaker system at each campus during the summer. The outdoor speaker system will allow the schools to alert everyone if a threat happens on campus.

"If you're outside playing […] they'll have an area to go to and they'll hear it from the loud, outside speakers," Wilkerson said.

Wilkerson said the district’s new safety plan includes several additions they’ll be implementing as time goes on.

"So, we've made a lot of improvements, and we're going to be finished with a majority of them this summer, but we have a lot more we want to keep doing years forward," he said.

The district will pay for the upgrades using part of the $40 million in federal money it received to help with its increasing population.

About the Author

Jessica Davis is the Associate Content Editor for 1105 Media.

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