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NewsFriday, August 24, 2007 4:06 PM CDT
Olympia school add new security measures
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STANFORD -- Visitors to Olympia middle and high schools will be greeted with a new system designed to add additional security.

Visitors will press a buzzer that connects to the secretary in the main office. The secretary will see the visitor via video camera and ask them why they need to enter the building.

“This provides an additional level of security as we continue to strive for a safe learning environment,” said Superintendent Brad Hutchison. “We ask your patience as we begin to use the new system for the school year.”

The year opened Monday with a back-to-school celebration and teachers’ institute.

Wednesday marked the first full day of kindergarten in the district since 2004. The district made several cuts in programs that previously were not required by state statute, but the program was reinstated thanks in part to the passage of a referendum this spring.

At Olympia West Elementary, staff rang the old school bell and new kindergarten students were treated to a bear hunting activity.

The district’s school board may consider program in which students are sent into the community for work-study projects. The program is supported by State Farm Insurance Cos.

Olympia High School has received an adequate yearly progress rating in all categories, including special education. The report showed an attendance rate of 93.7 percent and a graduation rate of 90.3 percent, both above the state average.

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Reader comments on this story - 6 total

Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.

Hey Oly Parent wrote on Aug 27, 2007 1:10 PM:

" Do you have nothing better to do than critticize the school improvements, yes I said Improvements. I'll bet you had a complaint already worked up if they would have started at the grade schools. I have been to all the schools, the grade schools offer a little natural security in their design, but they also need more. As far as the air conditioning, it will be there but things don't happen overnight. Maybe it makes sense to start small so people can get used to change, then expect more change, then major change is not so tough, I have no idea if Olympia considered that theory in their planning but maybe you should in your acceptance cause more is coming. "

good lord... wrote on Aug 25, 2007 5:36 PM:

" keep your shorts on. just because a security system is first implemented at one school doesn't mean it won't ever be used at other schools. also, i'm sure the middle/high school has a lot more visitors than the elementary. something to consider. oh wait -- you don't want to consider, you just want to COMPLAIN!!!! "

TO: Oly Parent wrote on Aug 25, 2007 3:37 PM:

" No really, it's OK. Our elementary students don't need to be safe. Nor do they need to have reasonable temperatures to learn it. The important thing is that we have money to improve the track, the bleachers at the football stadium and to have freshman sports. How could you be so silly? By the way, it's not the students inside the school writing messages on bathroom walls that are of concern, it's the parents that try to get in that's going to cause the threat. Yeah, that's it. It's all of us parents that are the biggest concern! "

Oly parent wrote on Aug 25, 2007 1:40 PM:

" The added security is great!!!! Don't worry about the elementary kids though!!!! No security there!!!! Wasn't the referendum suppose to help them to?? So far only progress is at the Middle School and High School. Since it is so great out there(middle/high school)---move them all out to the complex. Stop taking care of just one school and improve the district!!!!!!!!! "

BILLY BOB wrote on Aug 25, 2007 11:27 AM:

" How do the students get in? "

Ziggy wrote on Aug 25, 2007 6:50 AM:

" The security system in McLean seems to be working well, THEY JUST CLOSED THE SCHOOLS! "

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