News and Information

L-D Elementary implements new security checks
BY DONNA SMITH, Black Hills Pioneer, South Dakota

August 30, 2005 – DEADWOOD - All visitors to Lead-Deadwood Elementary School will need to have identification with a photograph available in order to be cleared by the school's new security system. The "V-soft" system will help school staff track visitors and provide an even safer environment for all of the children.

Principal Tim Kosters describes the system as an "extra security blanket for parents" and said that a letter will go out to all parents explaining the new system. "The system has the ability to provide alerts on people who may jeopardize the safety of the campus," the letter reads in part.
After the photo I.D. is scanned, a badge is issued to the visitor to let school staff throughout the building know that the visitor has the appropriate clearance to be in the building. The next time the visitor comes to the building, he or she just needs to give the office staff their name in order to get a new badge.

The database used to screen the visitors is not a background search and it does not look at the entire criminal background of any given individual. It does search public sex offender databases as well as private alert information entered by the school on custody issues and restraining or protective orders.

The school has a specific procedure in place to handle situations in which the V-soft system issues an alert, whether that alert is issued on a parent or other visitor. That procedure includes appropriate notification to local police and appropriate supervision of the visitor if they are allowed in the building.

The district's technology director, Wade Mackey, said Friday that Lead-Deadwood Elementary School is the first in the state to get this system. It is in use in schools in Texas and Florida. Mackey brought the system to the attention of Kosters.

Kosters said the $1,800 cost for the system was paid for with Title IV "Safe and Drug Free Schools" money. He said it will cost approximately $400 a year to maintain and run the system.