New Security at High School Will be Done by August 13

By the time Sallisaw High School opens doors for the new school year, on Aug. 13, new security will be in place.

School Superintendent Scott Farmer said the $50,000 project at the high school will be finished by Aug. 13 when students report for the first day of school.

"We are proud of it," Farmer said. "It is an entrance design that forces visitors into the front office instead of giving them immediate access to the commons area and the students." The high school building has two public entrances on the north and south sides that open directly into the large commons area. The school principal's office is on the south side. Farmer said the new secure entrance has hallways that funnel visitors directly into the office area (in above photo).

High School Principal Ernie Martens said the new door security system will be on timers, allowing students in and out when needed, but visitors will have to come to the office to be checked in. All doors are locked during the day, including those on the east and west sides of the building. The doors do open from the inside in case of emergencies, such as might occur during a fire.

"The security system is about the same as in the new middle school," Farmer said. "We did the elementary schools last year. This will make all four campuses secure."

Farmer said the schools also have measures in place in case the schools need to lock down for any reason to protect students. He said those measures are not made known to the public.

Sally Maxwell, Senior News Director

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