IDs, Designated Entrances: Security Measures For Alexandria Schools

ALEXANDRIA, VA — As Alexandria City Public Schools students return for the new school year on Aug. 22, new and existing security measures will be in place.

Superintendent Gregory Hutchings Jr., who will be replaced by Interim Superintendent Melanie Kay-Wyatt on Sept. 1, announced the security measures in a message to families.

"We are hard at work preparing to open up the school doors and return to teaching and learning," Hutchings wrote to families. "In keeping with our core value of being welcoming, part of that preparation includes an emphasis on student well-being, safety and security to ensure that our students feel welcomed, supported and safe in all of our school buildings."

One new policy will be an ID requirement for students at middle and high schools. Students will have to have their student identification every day so administration and security officers can ensure only students are accessing campus during the school day. ACPS staff are already required to display their ID badge in schools, the ACPS central office and other ACPS properties.

High school students will have the option of using a traditional ID or a digital ID on a smartphone or smart device to scan upon entry to school. ACPS plans to launch the digital ID pilot program during the first few weeks of school. Information on obtaining the digital ID will be shared with high school students and families. High school students may opt out of the digital ID by notifying their school administrator.

All schools will have designated entrances for students, staff and visitors to better control access to schools. Students, staff and visitors are reminded students cannot arrive and leave campus without permission, including during lunch. Early dismissals will be coordinated through the attendance offices, and high school students can arrive late or leave early with early release or late arrival on their schedule.

On the communications technology side, preventative maintenance of public announcement systems and phone systems was conducted over the summer. School communications systems will be replaced throughout the school year. The school district also expanded cellular service throughout the Alexandria City High School's King Street campus.

In the last year, the school district faced an ongoing debate about school resource officers. After City Council removed funding for school resource officers, the officers were not present at the start of the 2021-2022 school year. However, after incidents of violence, including a student with a gun arrested outside Alexandria City High School, the school resource officers were restored.

For now, ACPS plans to maintain its school resource program at least through June 30, 2023. Additional school security officers are planned at all middle and high school locations as well. A School Law Enforcement Partnership advisory group was created to examine the ACPS partnership with the Alexandria Police Department and will meet next on Sept. 12.

Alexandria's high school also grappled with off-campus fights at the nearby Bradlee Shopping Center. Before the end of the last school year, senior Luis Mejia Hernandez was killed in a stabbing at the shopping center. After the 18-year-old's death, Alexandria City High School transitioned students to virtual learning. Limited students who needed to complete graduation requirements were allowed to visit schools while additional security measures were put in place.

In the new school year, the King Street and Minnie Howard high school campuses will continue to have a staggered dismissal process. ACPS noted the practice intends to reduce student congregation and the amount of students exiting at a time. Students attending classes at multiple campuses will be transported by ACPS.

In addition, lunch blocks will be supervised by staff and limited to certain spaces on the campuses, including outdoor spaces. Students may use the time to eat lunch, join social-emotional and academic learning, or participate in advisory periods, clubs and organizations.

ACPS plans to continue social-emotional learning supports for students with 30 minutes set aside each day. Students identified as needing more supports may be part of smaller group and individual interventions.

Hutchings said additional measures may be implemented during the school year and communicated to families. The superintendent encouraged families to stay informed on safety and security measures and share concerns with school officials.