New security protocols have been implemented for the 2022-23 school year. 

During the school day, all doors leading outside are locked, visitors have to be buzzed in through the front office doors and students have to request permission to leave a classroom using E-Hallpass. 

“All safety protocols are put in place for the safety of our students, staff and faculty,” assistant principal Paul Weinheimer said. 

After 7:55 a.m., the front doors lock. In order for a parent to be let in, they will have to show their ID, which front office secretary Genna Terry can see on a screen in the office. As for students, they will receive school IDs that they will have to show to the camera in order to enter. 

“The buzzing-in process was put into place to make sure we know who is coming into our school building and to ensure we are getting the eyes of an LHS employee on everyone coming into the building,” Weinheimer said.

All doors are locked during the school day,including the side doors by the gym and the doors leading into the cafeteria and main stairs. During passing periods, teachers  hold the doors open for students coming from Ag buildings. 

“There are three entry points for students to move between classes,” athletic, band and UIL secretary Alisa Preece said. “Due to security issues, the doors can no longer be left unlocked or unattended. I must watch for students who need entry into the building.”

Students must request permission using E-Hallpass to go to another teachers room, the bathroom, the counselor’s office, etc. E-Hallpass can be found in Class Link. To leave, students must click their teacher’s name and where they are going. Then their teacher will either approve it or deny it. After ten minutes, the pass will turn red on their chromebook screen and the teachers screen. When students are gone for this long, an assistant principal may look for them. Students get four E-Hall passes per day. 

“E-Hallpasses help us to keep track of our students and understand where people are in the building,” Weinheimer said. “It can also help us to keep the hallways and restrooms from getting too crowded during class. Students can also now ask to go see certain people and stay more anonymous. The E-Hall passes have worked wonderfully.”

Office aids are not permitted to buzz anyone in. Terry has to monitor the screen at all times to allow people access into the building.

“It is a lot more work,” Terry said. “I can’t leave my post because the kids [office aids] can not operate it. I have to operate it, an adult. [I can’t] go to the bathroom, get away, I could be on the phone, [and] I have to constantly let people in. It would be nice if we had a little help, but now we really know who’s on campus.”

Ultimately, in light of recent events nationwide, these protocols are for the safety of students and to ensure the peace of mind of parents. 

“Everyone wants to be safe and feel safe and it is worth the effort to help those things happen,” Weinheimer said.