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Giles teachers say digital hall-pass pilot cut hallway time and improved accountability
Summary
Teachers told the Norridge SD 80 board that a digital hallway-pass system piloted at Giles since January has issued about 25,000 passes, reduced paper use and classroom disruptions, and produced student reports of feeling safer; the district was quoted $495 to continue the system next year.
Giles School teachers presented results of a digital hallway-pass pilot to the Norridge SD 80 board on April 23, saying the system has reduced lost instructional time and improved tracking of students in the hallways.
The teachers — introduced as Kathy Kleta, Steve Bora, Annie Ann and Marie Petra — told the board the pilot began in late January and that staff have issued about 25,000 passes during the trial. They reported the most common uses were bathroom breaks, moving between classes and filling water bottles; they estimated average bathroom passes at about seven minutes and water-fountain passes at about five minutes.
Administrators and teachers said the system eliminated paper passes, made it easier to know where students are during an emergency and helped staff identify students who frequently leave class. Presenters described benefits for classroom instruction time and student safety while also noting staff value the reduction in paper handling.
The presenters described student feedback as positive: students appreciated the speed of the system (using ID badges or a quick entry) and felt reassured that adults knew where they were in the building. The board’s follow-up questions focused on water-fountain congestion, filter/replacement timing and whether the district needed a firm procurement deadline; administrators said there was no strict cutoff but noted that decisions are typically coordinated with curriculum and ordering activity for the coming school year.
Cost and next steps: the presenters said this year’s trial was free; the vendor quote to continue the system for the next year was $495. Teachers recommended continued data review, targeted staffing in identified hallway hotspots, and follow-up for students the data show as frequent pass users.
The presentation materials and board discussion signaled next steps will include monitoring 'frequent flyers,' refining staff check-in procedures and returning to the board with a recommendation before any purchase commitment.
