District outlines staffed secured entrance plan for high school to screen visitors

The Worthington School Board received an operations update describing a planned staffed secured entrance at the high school that would screen visitors at the north entrance (student parking lot) and require a brief vetting process before entry.

Operations staff said the plan is to use an existing district employee rather than hire new personnel. The screening approach under consideration would require visitors to scan an ID or provide identifying information; the system would check a database (staff said it focuses on crimes against children) and, if cleared, print a small sticky badge with the visitor's name, photo (if available), date and time that the visitor had been screened.

"That layer of security will also include a system. We're looking into a variety of different options, but essentially what it would do is, anyone that would look to enter our building would scan with an ID or provide a name with a little bit of personal information," district staff said. He added the plan includes modifying a window to create a pass-through slider so staff can communicate and pass items without opening doors until screening is complete.

Why it matters: the plan changes visitor flow by directing entry to the north entrance, requires signage and communication to redirect traffic from the south entrance, and puts a staff member at the entry to perform screenings. Principal Hastings and operations staff were reported to be looking at current staff who might serve in the role.

Implementation notes: staff called for clear communication to families and visitors to use the north entrance once the system is in place; the plan is still being developed and relies on existing personnel availability and the selection of an appropriate screening system.

Provenance: The update was announced in the operations-committee report and concluded with staff noting specific system and staffing steps being explored.