When students, staff and parents return to BISD’s elementary and middle schools on Monday, Aug. 26, they will have a new door intercom and access system waiting to greet them. In May, Birdville ISD’s board of trustees approved the installation of door intercom and access systems at the main entrance at each elementary and middle school campus. This new system allows these campuses to lock all external doors during the school day, thus restricting access into the building through one central location.
“As these systems are activated, I ask our students, staff and parents for their patience and cooperation,” Superintendent Dr. Darrell G. Brown said. “Though this system may seem inconvenient at first, it is important for our community to remember this change is another layer of security for our students and staff.”
In 2011, BISD began piloting this system at Green Valley Elementary School, The Academy at West Birdville and Richland Middle School. Because of the success of the pilot program, BISD is expanding the system to the following campuses:
· Birdville Elementary
· Binion Elementary
· Cheney Elementary
· Foster Village Elementary
· Francisco Elementary
· Hardeman Elementary
· Holiday Heights Elementary
· Mullendore Elementary
· North Ridge Elementary
· Porter Elementary
· Richland Elementary
· Smith Elementary
· Smithfield Elementary
· Snow Heights Elementary
· Spicer Elementary
· Stowe Elementary
· Academy at C.F. Thomas
· Walker Creek Elementary
· Watauga Elementary
· Haltom Middle
· North Oaks Middle
· North Richland Middle
· North Ridge Middle
· Smithfield Middle
· Watauga Middle
When visitors/parents visit any of these campuses, they must come to the designated front door, push a buzzer and wait for a response from the office. The office staff will use a video camera and intercom to see and speak to the person at the door before granting them access to the building. Once access is granted, the visitor must come directly to the office to check in and obtain a visitor’s badge.
“As a parent of students in BISD and a member of the board of trustees, I know the importance of making our schools a safe place to learn,” Board President Brad Greene said. “School safety is the top priority of the board and superintendent. We will continue to evaluate this and other safety measures and make adjustments as needed.”
Ten of the above campuses will begin using the new system when school begins. The remaining campuses will come online in September as installations are completed.
The BISD community is encouraged to partner with the district in helping keep our campuses safe.