There could be some changes to security at elementary schools this fall, and the equipment is already in place.
There is a new locked-door policy for elementary schools in Ontario, but school boards are still figuring out how to make it work.
Today, on the first day of school, parents could easily walk into elementary schools in Simcoe County, but that will eventually change.
The doors will be locked during school hours. Anyone wanting to get in the school will have to be buzzed in through an intercom system at the front door. The Simcoe County District School Board installed security equipment at its 87 elementary schools this summer. Through a camera- and-buzzer system, office staff will be able to see and control who enters the school.
“Our schools are generally safe places, but this just adds that measure of security for parents, students, staff, that access to the school is controlled,” says John Dance, a superintendent with the SCDSB.
The Ontario government made the security changes after the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut last December, where 26 people were killed, including 20 children.
“Now we will really be able to track who comes in and out,” Dance says.
Jane Hoffman is the principal at Holly Meadows Public School in Barrie and says even though the equipment is installed, the doors remain unlocked for now.
“We're waiting because we want to ensure we're meeting the needs of everybody,” Hoffman says.
And there is still some work that needs to be done first including training staff and developing a security pass system for students and teachers who are in portables. Either way parents welcome the new security protocol.
“A little more piece of mind knowing the schools are safe and secure,” says parent David Seaman.
The Simcoe-Muskoka Catholic District School Board and school boards in York Region also plan to introduce the new security protocol. Both the catholic and public school boards say they will begin phasing in the new security measures this fall and the system will be in place at all elementary schools by the end of this year.
