CACHE Okla_ Students
in the Cache school district are much safer than ever before. They're in the
process of outfitting the entire campus with a high-tech security system.
Cache
School Superintendent Randy Batt said the school decided to revise its security
plan after the Sandy Hook School shooting back in December. Batt said the
school discussed several ways to beef up security, and decided to start at the
school's entry. That way, they can control who is coming in and out of the
buildings.
They're
using the "buzz-in" system. Visitors have to announce themselves at a
locked entrance via an electronic monitor and wait for a staff member to unlock
the door. Right now, each classroom building, with the exception of the high
school, is outfitted with this system. This is just the first of several
changes in security for the campus.
Batt
said school administrators decided that the "buzz-in" system was the
best way to keep a closer eye on the school's entryways.
"When
I look at security, I try to say I want something that will make our kids feel
safe and our parents feel safe, but something that does not intrude on the
learning environment," Batt said. "So, those are things that we were thinking
about when talking about security measures."
Batt
said they also had to consider price, and says the "buzz-in" system,
which runs about $1,500 per installation was well within their budget. He said
unfortunately, these types of measures are a sign of the times.
"Schools
have had to take on a lot more as society has changed," Batt said. "We're doing
a lot more things. It's not just reading and writing anymore. In Oklahoma, I
hate to say this, but the legislature is probably not going to be much help
with that. So, it's up to local school districts to do the best they can."
Superintendent
Batt said the school also increased the number of security cameras across the
campus to 100, so they have very few blind spots. He said they also plan on
installing these fences around the entire campus.
"It
makes me feel comfortable that my kids are safe, and all the kids are safe," parent
Danyel Pueblo said. "We do not have to worry about anybody getting in and
hurting them."
"Unfortunately
it has to be that way," parent Larry Kerr said. "It would've been nice when we
were kids to just be able to not worry about something like this happening. Unfortunately,
with the times, we have to worry about this."
Batt said the security system for the high school
should be in place by August. Understandably, there were other security
measures he could not discuss, but he did say those changes are for the benefit
of the students and staff.
Batt
said tragedies like the Sandy Hook shooting make these types of changes vital
to keep students safe. He said he hopes things get better and not worse.
"I
don't ever want schools to ever look like a correctional institution," Batt
said. "I want the school to keep the same face about it, so the students don't see
all of the security measures. We've got other measures that we won't talk
about. I hope that we're about to that boundary line, where we won't see any
more intrusiveness in the school system."
He said the response from both parents and faculty
about the new system has been positive.
