This article was originally posted on Goshen News, and written by Julie Crothers Beer. The content posted above is an excerpt of an original article, which can be found here.
GOSHEN A new visitor check-in process that includes scanning IDs for a background check is expected to begin today at three Goshen Community Schools buildings.
With the help of a $16,000 state school safety grant, school officials will implement the new system at Goshen High School, Goshen Middle School and Merit Learning Center, with plans to add the same system to all seven elementary schools next fall.
The devices, manufactured by Texas-based company Raptor Technologies, were installed Monday and will be operational today in the first three buildings, Goshen High School Assistant Principal Jim Pickard said.
Ive been pushing for this for about two years now, Pickard told school board members Monday night.
The system scans visitorsID cards and screens for sex offenders, restraining orders, custody issues, suspended or expelled students, known gang members or any custom alert, according to the company’s website.
If a potential threat is identified, the system sends alerts to designated officials including administrators and law enforcement. Once the visitor has been cleared, office staff can print a one-day name tag that becomes their identification for the day and includes their name, photo, time arrived and destination within the building.
Neighboring school corporation Wa-Nee Community Schools implemented the Raptor System in the fall of 2014.
