To address safety concerns, administration has installed door alarms on many exterior doors that will go live March 26.
“The addition of integrated door alarms is another measure that will help improve the safety and security plan here at Mansfield High School and throughout the district,” assistant principal Michael Laningham said. “We believe these changes will provide an additional layer of security that will benefit our campus.”
Some doors, including doors to the theater and gym and all cafeteria doors will not have alarms. The rest of the doors will have alarms that will go off when opened. Teachers will be able to turn the alarms off after the alarms have been triggered.
“I don’t really have big emotions on them,” chemistry teacher Tanya Maness said. “I’m just kind of in a lot of unknown. If they go off, I don’t know what I’m supposed to do.”
Students will not be able to use the doors during dismissal or after school. The doors can only be used during emergencies and drills.
“I leave at different times every day due to tutoring or extracurricular activities,” senior Savannah Wilson said. “I like using the easy access doors, but because of the alarms, I can’t.”
While students and staff did not get notice when the alarms were installed, administration plan to make daily announcements before the doors go live.
“We will be training staff and communicating with students and their parents regarding the implementation of these new systems,” Laningham said. “We are committed to providing ample communication before alarms become active.”
The consequence for setting of the alarms accidentally start with a warning and get more severe, but opening the doors on purpose will result in AC. Based on the consequences, some say the alarms were implemented to stop students from propping doors open or letting people in at unauthorized entrances.
“Providing for the safety and security of students and staff on a campus this size is difficult, and it is a process that requires continual re-evaluation,” Laningham said. “We know there will be some challenges. However, we believe these changes will be beneficial to the overall well-being of our campus community.”
