School committee approves new building-access policy after debate on background checks

The East Providence School Committee voted to approve a revised building-access policy after members debated visitor supervision, staff safety and the committee's own access to school buildings.

Supporters said the policy is aimed at protecting staff and students amid an increase in confrontational visits and social-media broadcasts from school building interiors. One committee member said the volume of public messages and calls urging stronger controls had been "overwhelming." The vote followed a lengthy discussion about where to draw lines for unsupervised access and whether school committee members should be required to complete background checks when not escorted.

During debate the committee discussed operational details: secure vestibules at district schools, camera coverage of some entrances, and existing practices for hanging up phone calls from irate visitors. Administration staff confirmed that secure vestibules and at least one camera exist at each school; principals or assigned staff would monitor anonymous drop boxes introduced in the district's anti-bullying policy.

Before final passage members requested explicit language requiring background checks for school committee members when unsupervised; the chair said that change would be added. The motion to approve the building-access policy carried; one member recorded a nay before the motion passed.

The committee also discussed creating a separate visitor-behavior policy to define unacceptable conduct, and members suggested coordination with city departments and Parks & Recreation for summer hours and site supervision if athletic facilities are opened more broadly.

Officials did not outline an implementation timetable at the meeting; administration said they would circulate the finalized text with the committee that incorporates the members' requested edits.