School key cards sensible

Deseret Morning News editorial
Published: Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2006 11:53 p.m. MDT
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For many working people, key cards have become part of the uniform. These access cards open the gates to parking garages or doors in secure areas of offices. They've all but replaced security guards or traditional keys.

Now Granite School District Police Chief Randy Johnson has recommended using this technology in the district's elementary schools. Front doors would remain open to the public, but key cards would be distributed to teachers, administrators and school employees for the remaining entry points into school buildings. Key cards are now being tested in three Granite District elementary schools. Addressing the Granite Board of Education earlier this week, Johnson noted, "The world has changed. I'm sorry it's changed, but let's gear up and move forward."

This proposal makes sense. This technology would better control outside access into school buildings. It would force people who enter schools during the school day to check in at school offices before entering the classroom areas of schools, as state law requires. The technology would enable school administrators or their designees to lock down schools at the push of a button.

The equipment would cost about $5,000 per school. Granite District has 61 elementary schools, which puts the price tag slightly over $300,000. The cost of this technology would have to be weighed against other spending priorities, but this seems a reasonable expenditure. The Utah Legislature should consider establishing a grant program for school districts that wish to take this step. Districts could also seek funding from their respective foundations to implement these safety measures.

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Some safety measures are already in place in Granite District secondary schools, such as security cameras and listening devices for after-hours security monitoring. High schools and some junior highs have school resource officers.

It is not economically feasible that each elementary school in Utah have a school resource officer assigned to it. It is also understood that security measures in schools are not foolproof. But as Johnson laments, the world has changed, which means school districts need to be proactive about keeping students, educators and school employees safe. Equipping schools with key card systems would be a logical step.

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