Emporia High School is the latest — and last — local school to require buzz-in access for visitors.
USD 253 began using a new buzz-in entry system at Emporia High on Thursday. Once classes begin, all exterior doors will be locked until school is dismissed. All visitors will have to use the buzz-in system to get into the school. Visitors will press a button inside the first set of doors, alerting front office personnel — who will then press a button to open the interior doors.
The district says students will still be able to leave for lunch but they will need to use the front entrance when they return to class.
Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources Kelly Bolin tells KVOE News more security enhancements are coming, courtesy of the $78 million facility improvement bond approved by voters last month.
Bolin says the addition of Emporia High to the district’s list of buzz-in entrances means USD 253 has met the goals of a special $80,000 matching grant two years ago by the Kansas State Department of Education. The district also gained a related grant of over $70,000 last year. Bolin says the supplemental grant means increased video camera access, related technology and fob access instead of key access to school buildings.
An update is planned during the Board of Education’s next meeting Jan. 8.
7 am Friday: Emporia High now using buzz-in access for visitors
If you need to get inside Emporia High School, you’ll need to be buzzed in.
USD 253 began using a new buzz-in entry system Thursday. Once classes begin, all exterior doors will be locked until school is dismissed. All visitors will have to use the buzz-in system to get into the school. Visitors will press a button inside the main doors, alerting front office personnel — who will then press a button to open the doors.
The district says students will still be able to leave for lunch but they will need to use the front entrance when they return to class.
Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources Kelly Bolin says the addition of Emporia High to the district’s list of buzz-in entrances means USD 253 has met the goals of a special $80,000 matching grant announced two years ago by the Kansas State Department of Education. It also means all USD 253 schools have buzz-in access.
