WESTMINSTER — Bellows Falls Union High School is in the process of installing a new security system.
It is one of the last schools in the Windham Northeast Supervisory Union to install such a system, but school officials say the delay allowed them to take advantage of the latest technology.
Soon, when students, parents, or community members step up to the doors of the high school, they will have to use an intercom to announce themselves, and will have to be buzzed in by the attendance officer, or another staff member.
In addition, a video camera will allow the BFUHS staff to do a visual check before buzzing anyone in.
Staff and administrators will be issued a small hardware device with built-in authentication mechanisms.
“It's a proximity reader, similar to an EZ Pass we use in our vehicles,” said Jim DeBell, director of maintenance at the high school. “Each member of the faculty and staff will have specific levels of access to the building. We will also be able to keep track of all entries into the building during non-school hours.”
Installation of the new security system was prompted by the decision to discontinue the Student Resource Officer position. Previously, a deputy from the Windham County Sheriff's Department was assigned to the school.
“We had budgeted for an SRO officer at the high school, but did not bring that position back,” said BFUHS Principal Chris Hodsden. “We have wanted to install a system like this for several years, and now we have a budget to do so.”
First Choice Communications of Brattleboro will install and maintain the system.
“We needed to find a local company who would be available after the initial installation,” said DeBell. The plan is to phase in additional access points throughout the building over the next couple of years.