31 schools to receive more secure entrances with Proposition S
Springfield Public Schools has a responsibility to provide its students and staff a safe environment where they can learn and work. And every day, SPS is looking for ways to better deliver on that responsibility.
This year, a group of Springfield citizens came together and recommended needed improvements for schools across Springfield, including remodeling entrances at 31 schools to better control access for the security of students and staff.
Secure Entrances will be installed at 31 sites once Proposition S passes:
- Bingham
- Bissett
- Carver
- Central
- Cowden
- Disney
- Field
- Holland
- Jarrett
- Mann
- McBride
- McGregor
- Sherwood (former location)
- Parkview
- Pershing K-8
- Phelps
- Pipkin
- Pittman
- Pleasant View K-8
- Reed
- Robberson
- Rountree
- Shady Dell
- Study
- Truman
- Twain
- Watkins
- Weller
- Wilder
- Wilson’s Creek
- York
“Due to the age and design of some of our schools, their main entrances are not suited to best monitor who is entering the building,” said Jim Farrell, chief of school police. “At one school, visitors enter at the back and walk all the way through the building, passing classrooms and the cafeteria, before they check in at the office.”
New entrances with secure double-entry points will require all visitors to check in with an SPS staff member before gaining access to the school building.
“Staff members will also be able to control visitor access using a system of electronic locking doors, intercoms and cameras,” said Tori Sallee, member of the Community Task Force on Facilities.
Improved secure entrances are just one more way SPS can make sure students can keep their focus on learning.
“Secure entrances will provide us all with the peace of mind that the protection of our most valuable assets, our students and staff, starts at the front door,” said Charity Elmer, member of the Community Task Force on Facilities.
Renovations to add more secure entrances at 31 sites will address all of these security problems, with the total cost estimated at $7.8 million.
Secure entrances are just one way that many schools that would receive facility improvements with approval of Proposition S. Learn more at SPS.org/PropS
