We had a break-in recently and lost several pieces of expensive equipment. Imagine my surprise when I was told a key had been used to enter the classroom! What can we do to better secure our site?
With classrooms housing more and more equipment, security is an increasingly important issue; however, you'd be amazed at how many school administrators cannot account for all the keys for their schools. While additional security measures such as alarm systems or closed circuit television cameras may be warranted, just getting a handle on who has what key and what to do when a key goes missing can impact your site's security.
If you don't already have one, make a key inventory and establish procedures for checking keys in and out of the office. The procedures must include both regular and substitute staff. Make sure staff members know the importance of reporting missing keys immediately. Work with district officials to establish affordable, easily implemented procedures for replacing missing keys or to re-key locks if a master key disappears. While the initial cost of a secure lock system may be daunting, other expensive solutions (e.g. alarms) won't secure your school as long as unaccounted for keys are out there.
Submitted by: Susan Brooks-Young
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