Published: August 20, 2008 09:34 am            

On the safe side

Athens school officials taking new security measures

Athens schools will be a bit more secure when classes begin August 25.

For starters, all campuses will begin using an identification program — Raptor Technologies’ V-Soft Visitor Information — designed to identify registered sex offenders. Also, Athens Middle School and Athens High School will have more control over who walks on and off campus.

“We realize when people come (to Athens High School) they may not know where the office is or we don’t know that they are there,” Superintendent Dr. Fred Hayes said.

To correct this issue, a window has been placed between two sets of entrance doors. A visitor will check in at the window, and an office employee will unlock the front door using a push-button system. Once the system is set in place, students will enter through another set of doors.

“That should be done by the end of the first six weeks,” Hayes said. “We have all the equipment ordered, but the window will be ready day one.”

Hayes calls the check-in window a temporary fix.

“We eventually want the entire office to open into the hallway,” he said. “As it is now, we lose sight of the visitor for a few seconds while they enter a third door. We don’t want to lose sight of visitors.”

Beginning this year all visitors will need to have a valid state-issued identification card in order to enter campuses. The ID card will be run through the Raptor system. If the scan identifies a visitor as a registered sex offender, that person will not be given access.

“We will ask the visitor to sit and have their child brought to them,” Hayes said.

According to information on the district’s Web site, the system will alert law enforcement and administration when a registered sex offender attempts to gain entry.

Parents who have students on multiple campuses will need to check in at each campus. Any visitor will be issued an ID badge once on campus.

Hayes learned about the program when he was employed at Clear Creek ISD.

Another security change will occur at Athens Middle School. Hayes said a police officer will be stationed at the campus permanently.

“The police officer’s office will be at the front door with a window opening to the front door,” Hayes said. “That way we can monitor who is entering.”

The district has also included a link to www.familywatchdog.us on its Web site to help parents locate sex offenders living in the area.

“We want the community to be aware of who’s living in their community,” Hayes said. “It’s all about awareness.”

        

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