LAWRENCEVILLE - Gwinnett County Public Schools, in partnership with Gwinnett County, is moving forward this school year on some new security measures.
The measures include an emergency notification system and a new visitor management system. According to the school system, four elementary schools successfully piloted the measures last year.
The move comes as part of a SPLOST program approved by voters in 2013. Gwinnett County Public Schools and Buford City Schools are included in the program.
"The safety initiatives included in the 2014 SPLOST Program, coupled with the work underway in the school district, will help ensure a safe learning environment for our students," Chief Wayne Rikard of Gwinnett County Public Schools said.
The emergency notification system can be activated by school officials with the push of a button during an emergency. It sends a direct signal to the county 911 center. School officials said it also allows video to be sent and received, providing first responders with real-time information.
"It's not to call the police department to make a report that a parent is out of control, or a student is doing something wrong. This is (for) something such as an active shooter," Rikard told CBS 46.
As far as the visitor management system, visitors will be required to press a button to gain entry to school buildings when class is in session. The button panel has a camera that allows staff members to see the person requesting entrance. Once inside the building, visitors will be required to follow normal procedure, including showing identification and signing in.
The emergency notification system is being installed in all Gwinnett County public schools and Buford City Schools. Officials said the visitor management system is being installed in all elementary and middle schools in the two districts.
