Kent County voters passed a 55-million dollar bond last year, enabling school districts to create stronger schools and stronger communities. One district is using those dollars to strengthen security.
Students in Kenowa Hills Public Schools are getting used to entering their buildings in a brand new way. Buzzer systems with updated features allow better communication between the person wanting in and the office staff who can open the doors.
The updates are being made with the support of parents and the school community. For students, new security measures mean more peace of mind. Each building is equipped with a panic button that can shut down electronic pass access to that school. They now have additional surveillance cameras, courtesy of a grant from the Michigan State Police.
Monitoring mental health is also part of new safety protocol at the Kenowa Hills high. Some next security steps may include radios for communication between all the buildings and cell phone signal boosters.
Once all construction in Kenowa Hills is complete, every building will have an enclosed, secure entrance. Without buzzing into the office, there will be no way to get into the buildings.
Joy Walczak and Hannah Lentz reporting for School News Network.