Henderson County Schools implementing new safety precautions in all 13 schools.
“We want to deter any violators from entering our property in the school system,” said Henderson County School Public Relations officer Cindy Williams.
Installing “Ident-A-Kid” in every entrance way, giving them the ability to track visitors and volunteers who enter and exit the building.
“That’s been underway since the beginning of the school year in August, and from what I understand is going very smooth,” said Williams.
Most schools have a self-serve kiosk when you first walk in. But to speed up the process, Bend Gate Elementary has their secretary enter the information instead.
Here’s how it works. Visitors and volunteers present their driver’s license or photo ID, entering their reason for visiting and their destination in the building. The system then checks the National Sex Offender Registry.
If a visitor or volunteer is cleared, a badge with their information is printed.
Once they’re ready to leave, they enter the code on their badge, press check out and they’re good to go.
“It’s a part of our safe schools initiative, so the security and safety of our students and staff members in Henderson County schools is our number one priority,” said Williams.
Information can also be entered manually if the visitor does not have proper identification.
“From what I understand it’s been very positive on behalf of the parents, guardians and our staff members. The staff members like the idea we’re taking extra measures for the security of our students and staff members,” said Williams.
(This article was originally published August 30, 2017)
