“It’s the number one job of a principal, and every adult in this building,”  said VHS principal Josh Cogdill.  “Our goal is to have the safest environment.”

Safety is extremely important in every school and VHS has seen many improvements regarding the safety of our learning environment.

The most obvious change is the new front entry way, which is still under construction.   According to Mr. Cogdill, the security updates are not done yet.

“The doors are just one part of it. There are cameras around the building. Also, we are going to put numbers on the windows. In a situation with an active shooter, it allows the police officers to identify the room.

Mr. Cogdill also mentioned the window from the the main office into the lobby as a way to monitor who walks in.. The doors serve as a double entry. You are seen on a camera, you buzz in. There is an opportunity to talk or scan your id. Then that goes into a database so that they are able to see who you are. Then, at the second door, you have to be scanned again,” Mr. Cogdill said.

Although the students are happy that the school is becoming a much safer environment, there are still some doubts and complaints about the system. Melissa McLoughlin, senior, said “Anyone can still walk into the school. It’s not like we (have to show) our ID’s or anything.”

Students are issued ID cards for the year, but are rarely ever asked for them. Since the school is still under construction, there are random people walking in and out of the school daily.

Senior Talia Calandra believes “The new system is not effective at all. It is just inconvenient. I don’t like the fact that we always have to leave and come in using the front door.”

Although there may be incomplete projects throughout the school that inconvenience students regarding safety, the administration ensures that improving the security of the school is a necessary and worthwhile goal in order to provide a safe learning environment.