Buzzers Added to Schools this Week as First Step to Tighter Security

Elementary schools in the Port Washington-Saukville School District are seeing changes this week to the entrances of the buildings.

As the first step in increasing security measures at the schools, officials are adding a buzzer that parents and visitors will have to ring before being allowed into the schools; the installation is taking place this week, according to an Ozaukee Press article. Video cameras will also be installed outside the buildings for office personel to monitor, all at a cost of roughly $11,000.

The buzzer and camera system is considered a short-term fix to the outdated system of open doors and signs sending visitors to the school's office. In the long term, the district may consider some remodels to the main entrance to enhance security — and officials said such changes will not be deterred by cost.

The district is also strongly in support of ending voting at school buildings.

Officials have been reviewing security procedures since tragedy shook an elementary school in the Newtown, CT, elementary school in December.

This has included an increase in the number of lockdown drills conducted at the schools, as well as a desire to participate in table top exercises to help coordinate effective safety procedures, something suggested by law enforcement several years ago when staff participated in an emergency training exercise with law enforcement.