Ludington Area School District implementing security changes.

Ludington Area Schools has met with security vendors to complete walkthroughs of our buildings and facilities, and to assess what solution will work best for each building in our District. The District has received quotes for the installation of an access control system that places a surveillance camera, intercom system, and access control panel outside of the main entry to our buildings. Depending upon the arrival of the parts for this system installation, the vendor may begin work on this system throughout the District as early as next week. As the installation of this access system is installed at each of our buildings, we will begin using this system to gain entry into each of our buildings. We are hopeful that this will begin being used in our buildings after the return from spring break. We will update you on the status of the installation of these systems, and provide instructions for their use as the devices are installed.

When fully operational, a parent or guest will push a button on the access control panel, the surveillance video and intercom system will engage, a staff member will identify the individual, along with the reason for their visit, and either allow or deny access to our buildings.

Effective Monday, April 2, 2018, all doors and entrances to our buildings will be secured and locked during the instructional day. While we are hopeful that these access systems will be in place, if these devices are not fully installed, again due to availability of parts, we will operate as follows:

The doors in all buildings will be locked, even at drop off time, and parents will be asked to use the drop off locations at each of our schools. At our elementary schools, a paraprofessional will assist children out of the vehicle, ensure that they get to the playground, line them up to enter the building, and ultimately ensure that children get safely into their classrooms. Access to the buildings will not be provided to guests at this time. It is imperative that our buildings remain locked throughout the instructional day. At our secondary buildings, we will follow normal drop off and arrival procedures; however, the doors will be locked during the instructional day.

If for any reason a parent or guest needs access to one of our buildings, they will need to call the building office, so that the office is made aware. At our high school, we will station a staff member outside the main entry to the building and this staff member will assist those that need to come and go from the building, while the doors remain locked. Accommodations will be made in the event that a child needs to be picked up from school early; however, once again, we ask that you contact the office to make these arrangements as we transition to installing access control panels on our doors. A staff member will then be present to assist with entry into the building. Thank you for your understanding as we work to improve our procedures, and be sure to let us know if you have any questions.