School districts with "open" campuses/no security

We live in a school district that I know some posters on here probably would never be caught dead in.

In any event, I was talking to a co-worker today whose son graduated from here about 2 years ago.

She was saying that the big problem with the district, is that it's an "open campus with no security" and that the issue is not so much the kids IN the district..........but who comes in from outside that is the problem.

She said there was a stabbing of a boy when her DS was in HS and it was from "outsiders" who got into the HS because of lack of security.

Has anyone else noticed this being a problem?

She said her and her DH used to get phone calls from their son when their were problems, yet the school district would try to cover it up, and the school would be on lock-down.

I know this is a foolish post to start because my son is only 2.5.

Re: School districts with "open" campuses/no security

The high school I graduated from had an "open" campus, as in juniors and seniors could come and go, but we had security.

Security doesn't necessarily make it safe though. Some of the security guards would be off smoking up with the students.

Re: School districts with "open" campuses/no security

I went to private school, but our campus was open to the public. Even our buildings weren't locked or secure. I never saw any issues with it, although we were in a pretty safe neighborhood.

Re: School districts with "open" campuses/no security

My HS was wide open- meaning the students were allowed to come and go on their lunch , but outsiders were not really allowed in and they were pretty good about keeping htem out. There were and still are A LOT of problems with these other kids hanging out just outside of school property who unfortunatly give a bad name to the school.
My parents were not that comfortable with me leaving the campus so even though there was not much of a way for them to make sure I stayed in at school I listened to them for the most part and never had a problem.
As a parent and then a teacher in the same HS my mom ended up being happy about the open campus becasue people were more likely to get into trouble outside of the building and not get the innocent kids who stayed in the buliding involved.

Re: School districts with "open" campuses/no security

I went to that school district and I think people are always looking to downgrade it and make it worse than it it. I never had a problem in the 21 years I lived there and the open campus was never an issue. One incident and people magnify it like the school is a juvy hall.

Re: School districts with "open" campuses/no security

my HS was an open campus with no security, we never had an issue with people who didnt belong there coming into the school or onto the campus.

Re: School districts with "open" campuses/no security

My high school had security, was in one of the most "desirable" locations, at least according to many LIFers, and there were multiple stabbings anyway. So go figure.
That being said, I'm shocked to hear there are any campuses without security these days, or at least without locked doors.

Re: School districts with "open" campuses/no security

I'm surprised that any high school wouldn't have security. We've had security patrolling my high school back when we were in school (25 years ago) to catch kids leaving the school.

Re: School districts with "open" campuses/no security

Re: School districts with "open" campuses/no security

Posted by nrthshgrl

I'm surprised that any high school wouldn't have security. We've had security patrolling my high school back when we were in school (25 years ago) to catch kids leaving the school.

Re: School districts with "open" campuses/no security

When I was in MS, they had to block off one of the hallways because someone from the psych center walked in the back of the school through an open door!

When I was in HS someone road a dirt bike straight thru the hallway, which was the length of the school. They went in one door and out the other. That was when I was a senior..I'm sure it was a senior prank!

Re: School districts with "open" campuses/no security

I work in a high school and here is my opinion on "open" campuses.

My school locks all the doors except for one by the main office. That, however, does not stop people from opening side doors to let people in and out of the building. Additionally, there is a hall monitor sitting at the main door that signs people in - this monitor is not intimidating at all and if someone came in and refused to leave, they could really do very little to stop them, especially if they had a weapon. With that said, we have not had a problem, but it is a concern I have.

We had this woman speak a few years ago about school safety at a superintendent conference day.

"I Survived . . . "

It was an eye-opening experience. They had a door buzzer/security camera/police alert system at the school and everything.

Message edited 7/11/2011 8:55:57 PM.

Re: School districts with "open" campuses/no security

I teach in a high school with an open campus policy for 11th and 12th graders ONLY. They do enforce it; the kids have to show ID to leave the building, and if their parents don't want them to have that privilege, their ID cards have a big R stamped on them to show that they're restricted. The security guards happen to be GREAT at making sure no one leaves who isn't supposed to and conversely that no one comes in without first going to the main office. All of our doors except one in the front are also locked. (The reason for the heightened security on kids LEAVING is because of a fatal car accident that happened about 10 years ago when four of our kids were killed coming back from lunch one day... rather than close the campus, they cracked down on the policy instead.) I honestly cannot fathom that there is a school out there without security -- be they good or bad, I can only imagine the lawsuits that would ensue if they were actually nonexistent.

Re: School districts with "open" campuses/no security

Re: School districts with "open" campuses/no security

We had an open campus, we also had two undercover security gaurds. There were never any issues, and this was what some would call a GREAT district.

Kids would save their bs and deals for off campus

Re: School districts with "open" campuses/no security

The district in which I work used to have an open campus. But since they went to a closed campus 2 years ago, the guidance counselors have noticed a huge drop in cutting (afternoon classes mostly), drugs, fights, etc. "Security" has also been added, but it's like a single guy walking around in a blue shirt that says "security". The district working middle class, not known for being dangerous at all.

Re: School districts with "open" campuses/no security

I wouldn't be comfortable with that at all these days... And I also went to a school with an open campus that has since changed their policy bc of too many things happening off campus during school hours. But I would be more concerned with outsiders coming in. There are sooo many more things us as parents have to worry about now.

I know everyone says that every school has its problems and thats true but this is one issue I wouldnt want to worry about. I know outsiders can get in other ways and stuff but this sounds like the school just has no sercuity and doesnt care who walks in or out. That would be my biggest concern.

Re: School districts with "open" campuses/no security

I went to what most would think of as a "Great" school district...and until about 1/2 way through my freshman year, the doors weren't locked, etc.

Then, one of my classmates was stabbed in the parking lot at lunch by an outsider...and they discovered that a few students were making drug deals through the side doors in between classes.

So the doors were locked from the outside, a monitor posted at each entrance. Only Juniors and seniors were allowed out for lunch...

But that was like 17 years ago...Now, I would probably be upset if there wasn't some form of security / monitoring who was coming in and out of the school...When I send my kid(s) on the bus to school, I expect the school to do their part to keep my child safe. (Obviously there is some piece here that is on the child him/herself, but I mean that the school should do EVERYTHING they can)