Mesa County Valley School District 51 has enhanced security and safety rules for students and staff for the new school year.
D51 has installed new scanners at every entrance throughout Grand Junction High School and all the other schools in D51, paid for by the $190 million 2024 Bond approved by voters that also includes major renovations to Central High School and Fruita Monument High School. An email from D51 on Aug. 22 said the reason for the security change was to implement “a new security system that enhances the way visitors access our buildings,” which aligns with the Strategic Plan.
The school’s main office also underwent a significant change. D51 gave the front office staff access to the cameras to view the entire school, which they check daily.
“We know this is a big change from past practice… we’re doing everything we can do to protect your children and loved ones while they are in our care,” according the D51 email sent to GJHS parents.
At the entrance of the school, there is a camera and a button that visitors and students must press to be let in as part of the system known as Verkada. Visitors will be asked to state their name and why they are visiting the school. The office will then either let the visitor in or send the visitor away if they do not have a form of ID.
“These new policies are for school safety and making sure we can find the right people… Our [School Resource Officers], some of the principals, and hall monitors are the main people who will secure the school,” said GJHS principal Jory Sorensen.
Both the new security rules and the old ones, like requiring IDs to be worn, are intended for the students’ safety and wellbeing by preventing trespassers and threats from entering the building. The new GJHS building opened in August 2024 with fewer access points and a clear main entrance.
“I feel really safe in the school with the locked doors to get into the school and academic halls. Following the school rules makes me feel safer here,” said GJHS freshman Michael Gendoes.
Just like last year, with its success, there will still be school monitors checking the hallways to see if students are where they need to be. If they aren’t, they will be told to go to class or be sent to the office, depending on how late the student is to class. The doors leading into the academic halls will be closed after every passing period by the staff.
More information was sent to all parents on Aug. 22 to inform them of the new policy. More about security and safety policy can also be found on the D51 website.
