by Amanda Ice, Staff Writer
Gates around campus have been locked by supervision during passing period due to the school’s decision to take higher safety measures.
The recent stir in events has triggered a less-than-pleased response by students.
Concerned teachers and staff members have been worried for years about the openness of the hundred halls building, located on the farthest right hand side of campus.
In case of a threat, or need to properly and promptly shut down access to the school, there is nothing standing in the way of entering the school premise through the 100 hall doors. When the gates were first built, initial concerns were immediately raised from teachers to get the gates moved or extended so that they covered the entrance to the hundred halls.
As time progressed and no change came about, the concern was finally addressed when Eva White, a teacher of 22 years, became head of supervision at the beginning of this school year. White took to the District office in hopes of getting Fountain Valley’s gates extended for safety measures. However, White was told by the District that the school must prove the safety cause worthy in order for the request to be taken seriously.
By upping security and locking the gates between passing periods, the faculty hopes to increase the chances of eventually getting approved for a new gate that would surround the entrance to the hundred halls.
By proving that FVHS takes its safety as a high precaution with locked gates and increased security, the faculty hopes the probability of a funding for a new gate can be possible. According to White, other school in the district are better secure because their gating covers all buildings. Some students, however, believe the safety precautions do not outweigh the longer walk to get into the front office building.
“The walk into the main office can be annoying, especially for office aids,” said Lauren Perez (’15). “There’s too much paranoia over intruders.”
Another concern amongst students are from those who have classes in the hundred halls. Now, those student cannot walk through the gate and must go around, causing some to be late to their next class. Despite the disapproval of some students, staff and faculty reassure that the overall cause a is benefit to the campus.
“The hundred halls are the only doors in the school outside of the campus. Safety concerns and being able to lockdown is impossible. It is an inconvenience for everyone, but the District needs to put gates in front of the halls,” said supervision staff member, Lisa Melendez.
Regardless of the extra two minute walks, the overall concern with the gates is that safety for the students’ and staff members is a top priority. For the time being, at this change is a temporary condition to a permanent purpose.
