"We continue to be proactive in the area of school security," ARHS Principal Tom Mead told the Regional School Committee at a recent meeting, as well as an email that was sent out to all parents with students at the school.
Not unlike many schools across the country, the Sandy Hook shootings prompted many to re-assess and tighten up many procedures and systems.
Mead said that Facilities Manager Mike Gorman has been instrumental in shepherding in this greater increase in security, working with vendors and making sure everything is "up to speed."
"Some systems are partly in place, and some we were able to complete," he said.
The "main entry doors" are locked during the day after allowing staff and students in before 7:30 a.m. The other doors (and there are 67 total doors at Algonuin) are operated and locked remotely, using a camera system and microphone to monitor the inflow of visitors.
"The lower school office is not tied into that system," said Mead, "but that door has been locked the last two years and will continue to be."
The upper school door now uses a pin code system for students, who were each given an ID number that is exclusive to them. Entering that ID, it opens the door, which locks behind them after they enter the school.
"That is a significant change from what we have in the past," said Mead. But kids are quick studies and they picked up on that right away. That is partly a function of their fertile brains and deep need to not be late for class. That is going well."
Faculty, too, has a new sign in procedure, which includes a badge.
Since there are nearly 70 doors at the high school, Mead said it is a "daunting challenge" to keep up and maintain the security, but Gorman has given it top priority.
"Mike has instituted a security check in the morning and goes to all the doors to make sure it’s secure," said Mead. "This is an extremely busy campus and building during all hours."
"We could always use more," said Gorman, "but we're trying to do what we can now, and we're going to be doing a lot more stuff."