April 28, 2020
By: Dwayne Page
The Board of Education is making plans to beef up security at DeKalb Middle School with the addition of a security vestibule.
While visitors to the school are already locked out and must press a button at the front entrance to be allowed in, there is no office staff, teacher, or principal close by to receive them.
During a work session prior to the monthly school board meeting Thursday night, Director of Schools Patrick Cripps said creating a secure entryway vestibule that would allow school administrators to both identify visitors and have an extra layer of security is a priority.
“When you walk in at the Middle School its wide open and you can go anywhere you want to in that building without being stopped because there is no one there to receive you. We’ve had some contractors come in and bid on creating a vestibule holding facility and once its finished there will be a secretary to buzz you into the vestibule. Right now when someone is buzzed in they can go straight into the cafeteria, gym, or down the eighth grade hall without anyone being able to stop them. This vestibule will add another safety measure for the students and teachers,” said Director Cripps.
The cost of the project is $114,000. In addition to the vestibule, Cripps said plans are to also erect a wall to enclose the cafeteria for better security and noise reduction at a cost of $33,000.