CARLY A. MULLADY / Southtown Star - 4/25/2008

Picture identification soon won't be enough to enter Consolidated High School District 230's three schools.

The school board on Thursday approved a stronger security plan for Andrew, Sandburg and Stagg that will require visitors to show a driver's license or state ID card.

Using Web-based software from Raptor Technologies, those IDs would be screened and compared against the registered sex-offender databases of 49 states. The scans also would reveal persons with orders of protection, restraining orders or school-level bans against them.

"This will let us know," Assistant Supt. Michael Mecozzi said. "If they're not bad, they'll sign in and we'll give them a badge."

Should the program display a red flag, staff would detain the individual and summon assistance, Mecozzi said, adding that staff would be properly trained for these situations.

District 230 Supt. James Gay said visitors without driver's licenses or state ID cards and who don't have an appointment will "have to leave."

The enhanced security program and materials will cost $4,476 for the first year, the 2008-09 school year, and each succeeding year will cost about $1,800.

The school board's student services committee had supported the new plan during discussions over the last two months, Mecozzi said.

"Several other school districts have used this same program and liked it," board member Kathy Quilty said. At least 32 districts in Illinois use the Raptor Technologies system.

Visitors now are only admitted through one entrance at the three high schools. They can show any type of picture ID and must sign in. They then get a visitor's badge, which they turn in when they sign out to exit the building.

Carly A. Mullady can be reached at cmullady@southtownstar.com or (708) 802-8812.