The Kyrene School District will be implementing a handful of new procedures for front-office security as school resumes for the spring semester.
Following the Connecticut elementary school shooting in Newtown, an inflow of parent suggestions for updated security measures were received by the district.
The district’s practices were reviewed and new procedures, mainly for front-office visitors, were approved.
“I have designated a Safety Committee that will include the expertise of law enforcement officials to continue this work on an ongoing basis,” said Superintendent Dr. David Schauer in a letter to parents last week.
Beginning Jan. 7, all visitors to Kyrene schools will be required to check in at the front desk, and need to turn in a photo ID to be issued a visitor’s badge.
Employees and vendors must show their badge or will also be required to follow the visitor’s procedure.
According to the letter, visitors will not be allowed beyond the office doors without signing in, providing photo ID, getting a visitor’s badge, and being given permission to enter the school.
When leaving the school, visitors will have to return through the office, sign out, and then retrieve their IDs.
Schauer mentioned that he hopes parents “understand that any such change is to provide the safest environment possible for our students and staff.”
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