Schools across Texas are adopting cutting-edge technologies and redefining their security protocols to better protect students and staff. As threats have evolved, so must the strategies used to protect learning spaces. Among the many available solutions, access control stands out as a way to truly make a difference in reshaping the dynamics of school safety. Continue reading to learn how other schools in McAllen, TX, use access control to increase safety.

SEE ALSO: Top 5 School Access Control Technologies Keeping Students Safe

Scenario 1

School Type: Middle School

Challenge: Preventing unauthorized entry into the school’s protected areas.

Solution: The school instituted access control at various entry points and protected areas around their facility. Faculty were provided a keycard to authorize entrances. 

Alert: Many individuals were in the building during a school event. Controlling the crowd was important to maintaining security. The system detected an attempted break-in into a protected area of the building. An alert was sent to the principal’s phone. The principal immediately notified the local authorities, who discreetly entered the building and apprehended the individual where the alert was triggered.

Scenario 2

School Type: Elementary School

Challenge: Ensuring visitor credentials were properly checked and tracked while on premises.

Solution: The school has implemented a new visitor management system to boost security. The new system provided instant background checks and issued visitor badges before individuals could enter the school.

Alert: When a fire alarm sounded during the school day, the building was evacuated. Because there was now a comprehensive list of everyone who had entered the building, the administration could quickly and accurately provide a headcount to firefighters upon arrival. This streamlined the emergency response and helped leaders feel confident that everyone was accounted for. 

Scenario 3

School Type: High School

Challenge: School administrators found it difficult to monitor and support their buildings when traveling.

Solution: The school recently installed access control solutions around protected areas of the building, such as records storage and financial and technology spaces. The administrator had full remote access to all entry points.

Alert: The school administrator had to travel hours away to attend a district leadership meeting. While gone, the school’s financial manager had to leave work early. A teacher had been collecting money from students for a fundraiser and delivering the money to the finance office daily. The school’s policy did not allow the teacher to store the funds in the classroom. Because the manager had left early, no one in the building could access the finance office. Thanks to remote access capabilities, the school administrator could remotely unlock the finance office for the teacher to deposit the money. 

Partnering for a Secure Tomorrow

Schools in McAllen, TX, and across the state are embracing innovative access control solutions, positioning themselves to establish safe environments for growth and learning. Circle Industries is ready to offer our expertise and advanced solutions to meet the needs of any school. Contact us to learn more about access control.