Taking initiative to protect students, teachers and administrators from outsiders while on school grounds, the Clark County School District board has decided to enforce a new safety system, which requires students to wear their identification cards on campus at all times.

“I’ve already implemented [this system at SWCTA], so I like the new policy,” principal Donna Levy said. “Back at the old school I worked at, one of the reasons for non-students to visit campus was to sell drugs. This isn’t a problem here, but it’s common for many other schools in the district.”

Aside from SWCTA, several other schools across the district already had a head start on the system.

“[Students at Liberty High School] already wear IDs,” Liberty High School principal Derek Bellow said. “Actually, students are permitted to carry them in their wallets or on a lanyard. We have [been using this system] since August, and I like the policy because now only Liberty students are allowed to enter on to campus.”

The CCSD board is considering on implementing colored lanyards to the system. The colors are meant to help administrators identify students by school or grade level.

“I want students to learn every day in every class,” Southeast Career and Technical Academy principal Ryan Cordia said. “If this policy allows everyone to feel a little safer on campus, then I believe it allows for a better learning environment.

In addition to addressing safety concerns, some teachers are choosing to add scanners in their classrooms to scan student IDs upon entry. This method is meant to quicken the attendance process and keep track of who has been in the classrooms.

“I [used to] believe that the [policy]  was a weird idea,” freshman Masina Blackwell said. “But if [CCSD is] implementing the ID policy and improving security cameras just to keep us as students safe, I feel better about having the changes. It’s good to know CCSD is doing something to keep us [and the schools] safe, rather than  not doing anything.”

CCSD superintendent Jesus Jara expects to receive $25 million from the state to implement school safety policies, including the student ID system. Jara also agreed with a committee of teachers and parents to also improve the security cameras and secure access points at CCSD schools.

“I wish the policy was not necessary, but it is to help protect students,” Northwest Career and Technical Academy principal Tina Statucki said. “It is no way a fool-proof system, but one of many steps that need to happen to keep our students safe.”