Gates Chili high school rolls out digital hall-pass, tightens safety protocols and outlines new student programs

Gates Chili Central School District Board of Education members heard an extended high-school report about safety systems, changes to academic recognition and student programs during their regular meeting. High school administrators described the district-wide rollout of a digital hall-pass, new threat-assessment processes and multiple student-led initiatives.

The presentation covered four main areas: a full implementation of the Securly electronic EPAS hall-pass system in the middle and high schools; expanded safety practices including a threat assessment management team and lockdown protocols; adoption of a Latin honors system for the graduating class; and a range of student programs from art displays and a peer-lead equity group to a proposed HBCU college tour.

Administrators said the Securly EPAS system replaces paper passes and allows students to request hall passes on devices while teachers approve them digitally. “The digital platform replaces what we all know and love as the traditional, pass system,” the presenter said, noting an administrative live dashboard that shows who is out of class, where they are headed and how long they have been gone. The presentation included usage data the…