Wichita Public Schools has officially completed a comprehensive, three-year security initiative, equipping every campus in the district with a modern, secured entry system. The multi-million dollar project concluded with the final installation at the 107-year-old Hamilton Middle School, marking a significant milestone in the district's ongoing efforts to enhance student and staff safety.
Key Takeaways
- Wichita Public Schools (USD 259) finished a three-year project to install secured entrances in all its schools.
- The secured entrance portion of the safety upgrades cost $10.5 million out of a total $20 million safety budget.
- Hamilton Middle School, a 107-year-old building, was the final campus to receive the upgrade.
- The new system requires office staff to visually identify and remotely unlock the main doors for every visitor.
- Some schools also received a "red key" system, allowing any staff member to lock any classroom door during an emergency.
A New Standard for School Access
The completion of the project brings a uniform standard of access control to all schools within the district. Previously, many older buildings, like Hamilton Middle School, had open-access entryways. Once inside, visitors could move freely throughout the building without immediate oversight.
"Security entrances weren’t features that were needed or even considered when schools were built in the past," said Wichita Public Schools Superintendent Kelly Bielefeld. This architectural reality prompted the district-wide overhaul.
The new system funnels all visitors through a single point of entry. Guests must use a video doorbell to communicate with front office staff, who then grant access remotely. Upon entering, visitors are directed into the main office for check-in before they can proceed into the rest of the school.
Complex Renovations for Older Schools
While some schools only required the installation of a relatively inexpensive video doorbell system, 30 of the district's buildings needed significant structural changes. These campuses, including Wichita North and South high schools, underwent major renovations to create new, secure front office areas and vestibules.
Hamilton Middle School Principal Chad Cushenbery explained the change at his school. "Specifically in the past, if you visited Hamilton... once the person came into the building, they basically had access to go anywhere in the building," he stated. "Now... you’re buzzed directly into a reception area where you’re greeted by staff, and we’re able to help our visitors before they get into the rest of the building."
Controlling Entry in a Historic Building
At Hamilton, a school that has served the community for over a century, the upgrade was essential. Located on South Broadway, an area officials acknowledge has a higher crime rate, controlling who enters the building became a top priority. The new system ensures every visitor is identified and their purpose is confirmed before they gain access to student areas.
More Than Just Locked Doors
Beyond the new entryways, the safety initiative introduced another layer of security inside some schools: red keys and red door locks. This system provides every staff member with a master key that can lock any designated door in the building.
"Let’s say I’m a teacher and I was on my planning period, and I was down the hall making copies, and all of a sudden... we needed to secure the building," Cushenbery illustrated. "Now, no matter where I’m at in the building, I can get into a room. I can take kids into a room if I need to, and I can secure that room."
This feature is designed to eliminate a critical vulnerability during a lockdown, where a teacher or students might be caught in a hallway or a classroom without the specific key needed to lock the door.
Project by the Numbers
- Total Safety Budget: $20 million
- Secured Entrances Cost: $10.5 million
- Project Duration: 3 years
- Buildings with Major Renovations: 30
Prioritizing Safety Over Other Needs
The substantial investment in security has come at a cost to other facility needs. Superintendent Bielefeld acknowledged that the district's limited capital budget meant that prioritizing safety has delayed other important projects.
"Because we’ve put safety first, that means other projects have been put on hold," Bielefeld said. He noted that Hamilton Middle School still needs roof repairs and air conditioning in its gymnasium, improvements that are common across the district.
Despite these trade-offs, district leaders affirm the necessity of the security upgrades. "I’m very grateful with the security measures and the added security layers that we have in place now," Cushenbery said.
With the secured entrance project now complete, the district will continue to evaluate and address its facility needs. However, officials emphasize that safety will remain an ongoing and evolving priority for the 150-year-old school system.