The Sioux Falls School District is adding new security software to its current protocols.
The software is called “Visitor Aware” and is an iPad app and available at all 38 district school buildings.
The system is used for all guests and volunteers and replaces the old pen and paper sign-in sheets. The system is installed on iPads and utilizes ID scanning and encrypts facial recognition to check sex offender databases, government watchlists, and active legal injunctions.
Dave Osterquist is the Security Coordinator for the Sioux Falls School District.
“So, if you’re coming to visit one of our schools, I would strongly recommend that you have a photo I.D. A government issued I.D. preferably your driver’s license or a state issued identification card. You will be asked to present that when you go to check into the building. You will have contact with the staff member that is responsible for the system. They will ask you to check in by first taking a photo of you using the iPad of your face and then you will scan the front and back of your driver’s license,” said Osterquist.
Osterquist said the new system is not in a response to any heighten security risks but simply was the next security software the district chose. He said the older system became too expensive to operate and that the hardware was toward the end of its usefulness.
He said each iPad is at the front entrance to the school. Previous security measures already ensures all other doors are locked during school hours. He said the system will better help school administrators know who is entering the building.
DeeAnn Konrad is the Community Relations Coordinator for the district. She said the new system saves time and provides more information than ever before.
“Our school offices are extremely busy places. So, to have a software like this that allows us to access that information in a timely manner and really have the visitor going through all the steps and processes and then the person responsible for the system gets a “yup this person is good to go” or ‘hey, hang on, we’ve got more questions that need to be asked’,” said Konrad.
Konrad said if a visitor’s information comes back flagged that it does not necessarily mean they cannot enter the building or visit their student.
She said the system sends out a notification to the responsible party at the school. Then the flagged visitor could potentially enter with administrative supervision.
