Chippewa Valley to Hire Extra School Security, Explore Cost of Buzzer Entry System
Chippewa Valley Schools intends to place security guards at all its school buildings for the remainder of the 2012-13 academic year.
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Security is changing once again in Chippewa Valley Schools, with plans now underway to place a security guard and possibly install a buzzer entry system at every school building in the district.
On the Monday following the mass shooting in Newtown, CT, Chippewa Valley ordered all of its buildings into modified lockdown. This state of heightened security meant locked main entrances and interior classroom doors, cancellation of outdoor recess and the presence of greeters at each main door to check visitors’ photo identification.
While Superintendent Ron Roberts said the majority of parents responded favorably to the increased security, he added that not all of these measures are sustainable or beneficial to student learning.
He used the greeters, many of whom are substitute teachers, as an example.
“We need those people back in the classroom,” Roberts said, noting that the position of greeter is set to expire on Jan. 18.
However, feeling that this type of role remains necessary, the school board gave Roberts the OK to hire security guards for the district’s preschool, elementary and middle school buildings. Security guards that monitor the parking lots and liaison officers with the Macomb County Sheriff’s Office are currently on staff at the high schools.
Once in place, these guards would serve for the remainder of the 2012-13 school year.
The district also intends to explore the cost of installing a buzzer entry system in each of its school buildings. At present, the majority of Chippewa Valley schools feature card readers on its exterior doors and sally port entrances.
Where the card readers limit outside access to faculty and staff, the sally port entrances channel visitors into the school office before they can gain access to the rest of the building.
The buzzer system, should it be implemented, would use audio and visual components to allow office staff to assess visitors prior to allowing them entry.
“We have to be proactive about this,” said Trustee Tammy Reynolds of considering such a system. “I’d like it go to back to business as usual, but I don’t think it’s the way to move forward. We can’t be alarmist. We have to be careful with how we proceed but we need to do more.”
If anything, Trustee Frank Bednard said he believes a buzzer system would help combat the more immediate threat of disorderly parents.
“I’d be far more threatened that someone comes in to kidnap a child as a bargaining tool,” Bednard said. “A buzzer system is definitely something to look at. It would keep by and far most prominent threat out.”
What do you think about these proposed measures? Tell us in the comments.
Laura Claussen
12:31 pm on Tuesday, January 15, 2013
My oldest child will be starting at a Chippewa school this coming fall. I think a buzzer system is a good idea, but security, whether it be a guard or a camera, would have to make sure no one enters behind the person being buzzed in. Even if someone in the office watching a camera did spot a person coming in behind them, it would be too late to stop someone like Lanza. I do think measures such as hiring security guards should take place. Anyone that thinks running prison security at schools will take away from student learning is mistaken. Students learn better and teachers teach better when they can focus on the subject matter at hand and not have to worry about who is knocking on their classroom door.
Matt
12:45 pm on Tuesday, January 15, 2013
These proposed measures are perfectly inline with what is needed, i favor a non armed guard at all schools. Why not take it a step further and put a Macomb County Sheriffs Deputy in each school? At all costs, bottom line Newtown has changed everything, protect those innocent students & teachers!!!
Angela Rehs Finch
6:26 am on Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Hopefully the cancellation of outdoor recess isn't a permanent thing. If we have the budget to hire these extra staff then they can watch the kids at recess too. The kids need to move their bodies during the day. It just as important for their healthy minds.We can't keep our kids locked away in fear.
John
11:50 am on Wednesday, January 16, 2013
I think they are already back outside for recess.
Jenny Whalen
12:14 pm on Wednesday, January 16, 2013
It's my understanding that outdoor recess has resumed.
Dennis
9:36 am on Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Think like a criminal. A greeter does nothing really to stop a bad guy. They just become the first one shot, same as an unarmed guard. MCSD would cost far too much and pull cops off the streets. God bless that principal, who went after the bad guy with the only defense she was allowed to have: her hands. Amazing bravery. Let's step back... knowing what we know now, would you STILL be against her having CPL training, a handgun and a fighting chance to try and defend those kids?
Buzzers could work, and a double door system could prevent someone from jumping behind them. Better replace the glass in doors with bulletproof, or they could shoot it out and open it themselves. Here's the next thing criminals will probably look at... kids loading/unloading on buses, or even hijacking a bus. There they will find kids in large groups, basically unprotected. Just like 9/11, gotta think outside the box of a reasonable person to safeguard against the wicked.
In prison interviews, the ONLY thing a bad guy fears... is an armed victim.
Dimples
9:50 am on Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Perhaps the buzzer but I don't believe a Security Guard would do any good and the cost would be for nothing. In fact, when I see police or guards by a building, I don't feel safer, I feel more unsafe as I feel there is a threat somewhere. It makes me uneasy.
Dimples
9:51 am on Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Perhaps the buzzer but I don't believe a Security Guard would do any good and the cost would be for nothing. In fact, when I see police or guards by a building, I don't feel safer, I feel more unsafe as I feel there is a threat somewhere. It makes me uneasy.
jill
10:22 pm on Sunday, March 10, 2013
it all depends on WHO is watching the buzzer system. an office lady watching the buzzer/taking care of students needs/taking care of teachers needs/trying to do her computer work which entails bookeeping and pupil enrollment is WAY too busy to monitor the door as well. something has to give! they need to hire someone specifically to monitor the doors with the buzzer, like they do in the high schools already. the elementary levels deserve just as much safety. by the way, who protects the secretary when she is the first line of defense...REALLY??!!