McKinney ISD installs new security system at all schools

by Staff of of McKinneyNews.net

MCKINNEY — Installation of a new visitor registry system was completed this week at all McKinney ISD campuses and the central administration building. The new Raptor V-Soft visitor identification program was installed to continue to build upon the district’s student safety and security plan. The new registry system will be used at all campus locations and will replace all present systems (ex: Positive Proof).

Robust in application, this system will enable campus principals to gain a better understanding of who is attempting to gain access to the campus, as well as to track those visitors and volunteers who routinely visit their campus. Most notably, this system tracks all Registered Sexual Offenders (RSO) in the United States and alerts law enforcement and district/campus administration when and if an RSO attempts to gain entry.

According to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, there are an estimated 603,000 RSOs in the U.S. This system will identify all visitors to a campus. State law allows public schools to require that all visitors present a picture identification card. Upon entering a school, a visitor will proceed to a registration desk staffed by a member of that particular school (as selected by the campus principal). The staff member will take the ID (usually a person’s driver license) and scan it into the V-Soft system. Visitors without a valid driver license will be escorted during his/her visit. The ID is compared to the RSO database, along with any “private alert” information entered by campus administration (such as information pertaining to parental custodial issues). Once completed, a visitor’s badge will be issued with the person’s name and photo, the day’s date, the time, and the destination within the building for the visit. When the visitor leaves the building, an entry will be made that the person has left the building.

The school district created a Security/Safety committee in 2006 with the express purpose of creating a list of systemic improvements designed to bolster the MISD safety and security program. Identification of visitors was among those recommendations preferred by the committee. In concert with this recommendation, the district has purchased the V-Soft system for all schools. The system meets the specifications and will greatly aid in visitor control at the sites. The motivation behind the move to use the system is to continue to provide a safe and secure environment for all students, staff, and community visitors.

The McKinney ISD Board of Trustees also recently approved the addition of interior and exterior surveillance cameras at all three MISD high schools. The cameras will monitor parking lots and a comprehensive grid for both interior and exterior locations.

For more information about the McKinney Independent School District, contact Cody Cunningham, Assistant to the Superintendent for Communications at 469-742-4095 or by e-mail at cocunningham@mckinneyisd.net.