Since coming back from winter break, students have arrived to a new normal. A new safety vestibule, also known as a man-trap, has been installed at the front entrance of the school, improving safety measures but also changing how students can access the office and other spaces on the east side of the building.
Man-traps are doors designed to trap someone in a space that has locking doors on both sides. This gives places like businesses and schools a sense of safety because they control who enters the building.
The funding from the state was put towards the doors for an added level of security to create peace of mind for students and faculty alike. Principal Joe Hughes, said he felt the high school didn’t have strong enough security measures compared to the rest of the district, so he and the board elected to add the man-trap doors to the entrance of the high school.
The elementary and middle school both have an extra level of security that the high school didn’t have. Hughes would often compare the security of other high schools to our school.
When asked if the new doors were put up due to increase in school shooting this past year, Hughes said no, it was just for added safety precautions.
An additional change included the front entry restroom being upgraded from a women’s restroom to a gender-neutral space with a lock for everyone to use.
The doors will be open for students in the morning from 7:30 a.m to 8 a.m. then they will open again at 3:10 p.m.
If there are any questions about the new security, ask Hughes by sending him an email or Teams message at @[email protected].
