Secured entrances add a layer of safety in schools

Nodaway Valley Superintendent Pam Stangeland said that in today’s reality, schools have no option but to prioritize safety and security.

A recently-completed secured-entrance project is part of a broader, districtwide effort to strengthen building safety and control access at Nodaway Valley’s school facilities. By limiting entry points and routing all visitors through office areas, school officials aim to improve awareness of who is in each building while maintaining a welcoming environment for students, staff and the public.

As a result, all three Nodaway Valley buildings now funnel visitors directly into office spaces, allowing staff to determine the purpose of each visit and whether access to other areas of the facility should be granted.

“In today’s reality, there’s no other option for schools but to have secured entrances. That is a top priority for me and probably for every other administrator in the state,” Stangeland said in a phone interview last week. “Every district I’ve worked in has either implemented secured entrances or already had them. Many schools had blueprints and layouts that accounted for this 20 years ago, but it wasn’t widespread. About 15 to 20 years ago, everyone really started moving in that direction.”

Stangeland said older infrastructure can make such projects more complex. At CAM, extensive renovations were required in some buildings to properly integrate secured entrances. The middle school was the most extensive renovation within Nodaway Valley.

“It’s not just putting a door in,” she said. “There were significant architectural fees and a lot of considerations involved. The purpose is to ensure we know who is in our buildings. We don’t have other entrances open, and we work hard to educate teachers, staff, coaches and community members not to prop doors open. This is the only entrance we want people using.”

As the secured-entrance project reached substantial completion late last fall, district leaders began exploring additional ways to enhance school safety. Those conversations are ongoing. If further work is needed to meet safety goals, Stangeland said she is confident local contractors can complete the projects.

Cardinal Glass donated all of the glass used in the secured entrances, and a government grant covered approximately $150,000 of the project’s cost.

Stangeland also noted that newly installed window graphics on Nodaway Valley buildings add another layer of security by preventing visibility into front entrance areas. The graphics were designed by district alumna Angela Handy.

“We’re very grateful to Cardinal Glass,” Stangeland said. “That was a huge donation, and without it, we would not have been able to complete this project so effectively and attractively. The vinyl window clings added so much to each entrance. Not only do they improve safety by blocking visibility from the outside, but they also enhance our branding and showcase our school colors and what we want to convey to visitors.”