As part of the plan to make all RSU #2 schools as safe as possible, new security systems have been installed in all three of the Monmouth Schools. The new system has four basic components: increased security, card access to only four doors at each building, all other doors re-keyed, and access camera with a buzz-in attendant at the main door of each building throughout the school day. This installation was completed prior to Thanksgiving and the reports are positive as to the effectiveness and benefits of this system.
Monmouth Academy, Monmouth Middle School and the Henry Cottrell School all have access to the buildings with an electronic ‘proximity card’ (Prox Card) system rather than with keys. Staff members are assigned both a specific entrance for access as well as times that their assigned cards are active. Every school employee has an access card with times set for each employee based on the need for accessibility to the building. For instance, educational technicians have access only on school days which is important for duties, attending early meetings or just coming and going from the building during the school day. Teachers have greater access hours such as early access times as well as access during weekends. As Deborah Emery, principal of the Henry Cottrell School stated, “One nice feature is that the access times are easily changed, for example, our teachers wanted me to increase the time available on weekends and all I had to do was call Gordon (Murray, Director of Buildings and Grounds) and it was done.”
At the Monmouth Middle School, the new system has eliminated the use of many doors, restricting access for students and staff to only four doors. Other doors now serve as emergency exits only. Principal of the Monmouth Middle School, Steve Philbrook remarked, “I don’t find my doors being left unlocked as they used to be. That doesn’t happen now. I don’t have people using doors and then forgetting to lock them back up. My staff likes the new system. They are finding it easier to use a card that is on a lanyard then fumbling for keys.” The main door is locked during the day at all of the Monmouth Schools with visitors pressing a buzzer to request that the door be unlocked, allowing them entrance to the school. Both principals reported that there have been no complaints about this system. Mrs. Emery confirmed that “Parents have been very supportive, not one concern about locking the building.”
Additional benefits of the electronic ‘Prox Card’ system is that there are no longer ‘unauthorized use’ of the facility. Now cards are assigned to individuals and the use of the cards are tracked by the system. The system also helps with parking by assigning staff access through different doors adjacent to available parking.
The installation of this security at all three Monmouth Schools also allows Mr. Murray to have remote access to all the buildings. This system was installed on a server located at the RSU #2 Central Office. This allows the district to save a considerable amount of money in that individual servers do not have to be purchased for each school. It will also be installed in the other RSU schools, hopefully by the end of the school year.
Submitted by: Susan Corbett
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