Fairfax County Public Schools staff told the School Board on Aug. 28 that the division has added several layers of security this school year — including weapons screening at secondary schools, a Raptor emergency response button for staff, security vestibules, more cameras and plans to issue RFID or card readers for bus boarding — and said those measures are being rolled out across the district.

The nut graf: staff described these measures as part of a layered security strategy; board members and the student representative pressed for refinements after early implementation problems caused longer entry lines and tardies at some schools.

Superintendent Dr. Reed said the division is treating weapons screening as one layer of many and emphasized partnerships with Fairfax County Police and Fire Departments. “It won't on its own solve all issues around weapons… but we know that it's 1 strategy,” she said. Safety and operations staff described the Raptor Emergency Response Button that staff will carry; pressing a badge button will immediately notify police or first responders and issue systemwide alerts.

Staff reported that a pilot of weapons screening went well overall but that initial days at some large high schools resulted in longer entry lines as students adjusted to the new process. Implementation is nearly complete at the initial set of schools, with only a handful remaining to be stood up, staff said. Schools are adjusting layouts and procedures to shorten lines, and staff said they will create instructional videos for middle schools to assist with the transition. Principals and transportation staff also said they will adjust bus arrival times where necessary.

Other security changes discussed included additional vestibules and cameras at school entrances, tablets on buses that track riders and will enable an RFID/carding system to show who boarded each bus, and continued staff additions (safety specialists supporting elementary schools). Board members asked about operational impacts: whether students who were in line on time would be marked tardy and about plans to avoid students waiting outside in inclement weather. Superintendent staff said they will work with principals to ensure students present in line on time are not marked tardy and will refine bus schedules and entry logistics ahead of bad weather.

Ending: The board asked staff for follow‑up on tardy policy application, bus schedule adjustments and additional communications to families; staff said implementation will continue and that the division will supply updates and data to the board on the rollout.