Over the summer, DCS continued a project to improve the general safety and security of the schools in several different areas. This year, numerous advancements are being implemented, particularly throughout Hayes High School.

One renovation that may have been noticed by students is the installation of new security cameras throughout the building.

“What the district has done is invested a lot [in some] new cameras around the building,” principal Jake Shafer said. “They are easier to use [and] there are new cameras in places that were hard for us to see before, like certain parts of the hallways.”

Similarly the staff and faculty have also had a small change in their routine to enter the building. Many of the exterior doors are now equipped with green and black ID scanners, so staff can scan their way into the school.

“I’ve noticed the implementing of a lot more security… [like] the little ID scanners at a lot of the doors,” junior Penelope Stacey said. “During band camp, I saw them and I was like, ‘what is that?’… Until I saw Mr. Fowles use his card on it.”

The scanners are also building-specific, so the members of Hayes faculty are not able to use their card just anywhere in the district, rather just their workplace. However, these specific restrictions could be adjusted with HR permission.

Further securing the entrances of the different buildings all over DCS, substitute teachers and visitors throughout each of the schools now have to undergo an in-depth process to enter the buildings.

“If you walk through or try to enter our offices, or come into any of our buildings… you have to stop in the office and you have to check in,” DCS Chief Technology Officer Jen Fry said. “You have to present an official ID, like a driver’s license [or] state ID, and you have to enter your name and [valid contact information]. And then you have to scan your ID [into a machine], and it does a background check on you.”

Bathrooms are also receiving a security upgrade.

“We’ve also installed environmental sensors… also sometimes known as vape detectors, in just a couple of our restrooms at [Hayes and Dempsey],” Fry said.

The sensors, which can also detect loud noises, were turned on a few days ago.

Classroom privacy and security has been adjusted, as well, especially in the Rowland Center. Classroom windows are now covered with frosted window coverings, which portray designs of the school logo and horseshoes.

“[The coverings for the glass] that they added in the Roland Center – I think that’s super cool,” Stacey said. “It’s a lot safer than just… being able to see [in and out of] every single classroom.”

Shafer said that the building is using caution when figuring out how to balance student security and safety with their personal privacy and comfort.

“The tools that our new security system have are… ones that we do not feel will violate student privacy,” Shafer said. “For instance, we’ve made decisions about the new cameras to… [not] use the .”

As it was seen to be an unnecessary precaution, the feature from the new cameras will not be utilized – meaning that no recording of audio anywhere in the school will be taken by them. Students will continue to have complete confidentiality and privacy in their conversations and idle chit-chat.

“So, that is definitely something that we consider when we think about which tools are useful for [Hayes], and how [the administration] balance[s] making sure we’re keeping our kids as safe as possible [while] honoring their privacy,” Shafer said.

The planning process for all of these changes began last spring with the former superintendent and Board of Education identifying a need for them throughout the entire district.

“They had identified that [safety] was a priority of our building leadership team,” Fry said. “And so we’ve been working on security upgrades at all of our buildings, and that even includes Willis Education Center.”

After identification, an RFP (request for proposal) requested proposals from vendors to secure and begin a project, in this case the safety changes. Once vendors submitted bids, a committee determined which solution and products would be used.

The majority of this work was completed over the summer, with a few projects finishing up into the first month or two of school.

“I definitely think [the new changes] are warranted with all of the things that have been happening,” Stacey said. “I definitely feel more safe this year.”