(11/28) Fairfield Area School District’s buildings are more secure thanks to an enhanced visitor management system.
District Technology Coordinator Nicole Zepp told the school board during its October workshop that the Raptor School Safety Suite has been installed in all district buildings. The board approved the system in May and implemented it this fall.
Everyone who visits the district must scan their government-issued ID when entering the building, Zepp said. The Raptor School Safety Suite will run visitors' information through all 50 states’ sex offender databases. If the visitor is cleared, they will receive a name badge with their picture and the area of the building they are to visit. If a visitor is in a sex offender database, administrators and the school resource officer will be alerted.
Returning visitors will only need to enter their name. The system will check the databases each time they enter to ensure their record is clear.
"They should always have their ID; that’s always best practice," she said.
Zepp said each state has a different schedule for updating its databases, so the system is not 100% foolproof. Superintendent Thomas Haupt said the district has procedures to follow if they have a reason to question a visitor even if they are not in the databases.
Zepp said the system was installed at the recommendation of the Pennsylvania State Police. The $9,201.80 cost was funded through a grant from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency.
Board Vice President Jack Liller commended Zepp for her work and reminded board members to help spread the word about the new system.
"You can scream all you want; the secretary is not going to let you in if you don’t have an ID," Liller said.
Zepp said the Raptor School Safety Suite also has an emergency management feature that will be implemented in the future.
It will track the district’s monthly and annual emergency drills. During a true emergency, the tracking system will help the district with the reunification process. District staff will also be able to discreetly call 911 if needed.
Zepp said the emergency management system was the biggest factor in choosing the Raptor system. Nearby Gettysburg Area School District is using it and is pleased with the results, she said. The implementation delay is purposeful to ensure a smooth transition, she said.
Read other articles about Fairfield
