By Scott Mitchell Johnson
Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — Presque Isle High School will begin implementing a new process for entering the building when classes resume Jan. 2, 2014 following Christmas vacation. Five main entrances are now equipped with an electronic entry system that is operated by school administrative assistants.
All doors to PIHS will be locked from the start of the school day until the students are dismissed. Anyone wishing to visit the schools, or enter during the school day, will only gain entry after the school administrative assistant or other administrative staff has made positive identification.
A surveillance camera is located outside of each main entrance, and the school offices have a video screen and the ability to lock every door in the building, as well as open and close the front door. The office staff will also be able to see and speak to the visitor. The assistants will “buzz” someone in after the purpose of the visit is determined.
According to a letter that went home to parents Monday, “If you are unknown to the person in the office, you may be asked to show some identification. Please be patient with us during this transition. School offices are very busy places, so your ‘buzz’ to the office may not be answered immediately.”
The main entrances at Presque Isle Middle School, Pine Street, Zippel and Mapleton elementary schools began using the electronic entry system in October.
Due to the high number of entrance points at PIHS (34), the decision was made to install the remote-lock system at the other schools first and evaluate its effectiveness.
“I’m anticipating the change will require a little more patience at the high school because of the large flow of approximately 700 people in and out each day,” said Superintendent Gehrig Johnson at the Dec. 18 SAD 1 board meeting, “but we think it will be worth it. We all realize that there is no one method for school security that is 100 percent guaranteed, but this is a big step in the right direction.”
The school security upgrades — districtwide — cost $73,100, and were paid for with funds through a $2.3 million bond referendum that was approved by district voters in June.
Also at the meeting, directors:
• Re-elected Lucy Richard as chair, James Bubar as vice chair, and Bubar, Robert Cawley and Curtis Culberson as members of the finance committee for 2014.
• Approved a policy that will allow private school students to have access to public school co-curricular, interscholastic and extra-curricular activities provided that the private school the student attends does not provide the same activities.
• Recognized outgoing director Barbara Ladner with a plaque for her 14 years’ of service to the SAD 1 board. Her term expires at the end of the month.
“Barb was one of the first teachers I hired 30 years ago,” said Johnson. “I started here in June 1984 and she was hired that August. She is a wonderful educator; she has been a great asset to PIHS and SAD 1 through the years, and I have the highest respect and admiration for her.”
The next SAD 1 board meeting will be held Wednesday, Jan. 15 at 5:30 p.m. at Pine Street Elementary School.
