The Natrona County School District now requires identification from school visitors before entering school premises. Tanya Southerland, director of public relations for the district, said the new identification requirement was nothing out of the ordinary, but was part of a comprehensive school safety plan meant to protect students and staff.
“The raptor system and ID requirement are new for the upcoming year in the Natrona County School District,” Southerland said. “But this is one component of a comprehensive safety plan that addresses multiple areas of safety within the Natrona County School District. So it’s an addition to a plan that’s been in place for many years now.
Explaining the new development in more detail, Christopher Dresang, district director of student support services, explained that it was not a knee-jerk response to the national debate over school safety.
“We all know what is happening nationally and the tragedy that is hitting different schools. This is just an update. Before our policy was pens and paper, well this brings us to the 21st century and a more digital approach to providing security,” Dresang said.
Dresang said the new visitor management system, in addition to being a transparent sign-in sheet, will also be used for emergency response, such as safe evacuation and reunification of children with their families.
Natrona County schools will now join other districts in the state where identification is already required prior to entry.
