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Local schools beef up security

Story by Gena Terlizzi (Contact)

Originally published 05:59 p.m., August 16, 2007
Updated 10:56 p.m., August 16, 2007

When a 49 News investigation exposed holes in the security of students in Topeka schools, it caught the attention of Topeka school board member Patrick Woods.

“The report 49 News did- did help to educate the public to the issue- to highlight the need for the board,” Woods said.

The Topeka school board's new budget includes money for security entrances in all the district's elementary and middle schools.

Randolph Elementary in Topeka already has one.

Here's how it works:

A magnet keeps the doors locked shut until someone from the principals office buzzes the visitor through.

Woods says this is a way to make sure everyone who gets in the school is supposed to be there.

"God forbid the unthinkable, someone who comes in with the intent to hurt our children could actually enter the building and gain entrance to classrooms,” Woods said.

He also says the board planned to address school security this year and 49 news helped highlight that need.

“The 49 News report also helped to educate the public and to get them in the same place to where the board was as far as what are we going to do to guarantee that our students and their teachers are safe,” Woods added.

And Woods believes keeping those students and teachers safe is the most important job the board has.

Thursday night, the School Board approved a new budget that includes money for security entrances in all the district's elementary and middle schools.