Increased Security At Union County Schools

Education, Panther's Corner
Security Key Card Doors

Blairsville, Ga – After years of planning, Union County Schools (UCS) are installing key card access doors to increase security on campus.

Beginning next school year, all exterior doors in the school district require key card access. No one without an authorized card can enter school buildings unless accompanied by a member of administration or educator.

“The district has been working toward this investment for a couple of years. However, we are just now being able to bring it to fruition,” said Assistant Superintendent David Murphy.

The security company’s printing the teachers’ cards and have already installed the door keypads. Every card possesses a unique ID to each individual. Some teachers or administrators will receive greater access due to their responsibilities. Also, the cards can be programmed to work only during certain hours for certain individuals.

Additionally, the card access security system comes with an application that principals can download to their phones. If a teacher forgets their card, their principal can unlock the door from the phone. No time lost for both parties and the school remains secure.

In the event a teacher loses their card, they can notify the company and have that card immediately turned off. It works like a hotel key card, once someone leaves access turns off.

Students won’t receive access cards, but standard ID cards.

“The card access system truly bolsters safety for our students. We have the ability to grant access on specific days and between specific times to any particular card,” explained Murphy, “This allows us to provide cards to first responders in the event of an emergency where seconds seem like an eternity.”

Security Updates

Other security updates include new cameras for the schools. Technology Director Bill Driskell addressed why cameras are necessary, “GEMA suggested a couple of places we should add some, and when we did the active shooter drill last spring, we identified areas where we needed more cameras. Through the state security grant, we spent about $40,000 and installed about 16 at the high school.”

security cameras

New security cameras are being installed over the summer.

Governor Kemp and Georgia Legislature have apportioned $30,000 for every school for safety. However, the Department of Education (DOE) has to approve the use of the funds. All Union County schools are putting $12,000 toward security server updates and $7,000 to camera updates. However, the primary and elementary school elected to spend their remaining $11,000 for new fencing. The middle and high schools spent their $11,000 on a new intercom system while Woody Gap opted for new digital radios.

Board Member Janna Akins asked, “Do those radios not give staffers the ability to contact others?”

Murphy confirmed that the radios do let staff contact others, but only people with radios hear it. The new system connects radios and cell phones. With the interconnected technology, the teacher or administration can initiate a notice from anywhere.

“Anybody who has access to a phone on campus can lock the school down,” explained Murphy “Our intercoms are outdated, to say the least, we can’t even buy parts for them anymore, so why not upgrade to something that will meet our needs and safety needs.”

After initial approval from the DOE, the safety improvements will begin, and the DOE will reimburse UCS after the fact. The grant money will replace SPLOST spend on the projects.

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