As students and staff welcome the 2024 school year, new changes have risen to their
attention. Orange County Public Schools has implemented a new door policy to enhance
security. All exterior doors must remain locked during school hours, and staff are required to
ensure that they are not propped open. Additionally, visitors must enter through the main
entrance and go through a screening process.

This policy aims to improve safety for students and staff. This rule was implemented to increase the safety and security of students and staff in response to concerns about unauthorized access to school buildings. The school administration typically puts such policies into place in consultation with security experts and local law enforcement.

The goal is to protect students and staff by ensuring that only authorized individuals can enter the school buildings.This policy addresses several specific security concerns, including preventing unauthorized access to the school, reducing the risk of intruders, and ensuring that all visitors are properly screened. A study conducted by the National Center for Education Statistics found that schools that implemented strict access control, including locking doors, saw a 50% reduction in unauthorized entries.This statistic highlights the effectiveness of locking doors in enhancing school security.

By keeping exterior doors locked and monitoring entry points, schools can better protect students and staff from potential threats and ensure a safer environment. Many people believe the new door policy is beneficial because it significantly enhances the security of the school environment. By keeping exterior doors locked and ensuring all visitors are screened, the risk of unauthorized access and potential threats is greatly reduced. According to a report by the U.S. Department of Justice, schools that implemented comprehensive security measures, including keeping exterior doors locked and monitoring entry points, experienced a 70% decrease in security incidents and unauthorized access. This demonstrates the significant impact of such policies on enhancing school safety and creates a safer atmosphere for students and staff, allowing them to focus on learning and teaching without constant security concerns

Some argue that the policy can be disruptive to the daily routines of students and staff, especially those involved in activities like yearbook and news crew that require frequent movement between buildings. The additional time needed to navigate through designated entry points and undergo screenings can lead to delays and make it harder to stay on schedule, potentially impacting the efficiency and productivity of these activities. The new door policy might have created some initial adjustments for both students and teachers, as they now need to use designated entry points and go through proper screening processes.

This new policy might make it a bit more challenging for yearbook and news crew students to move between classes and buildings quickly for interviews. They might need to plan their schedules more carefully and allow extra time for getting through the designated entry points. However, with some adjustments and proper planning, they should still be able to carry out their tasks effectively while adhering to the new security measures.

Aaliyah Miller, a student at Winter Park High School, states on this issue that, “I feel like it is a waste of time to lock and unlock every single door before and after classes, but I know it is to ensure our safety so I am on edge about it.”

Others have been in stronger favor of this safety rule, with Ms. Brittany,Winter Park Recreational Security stating, “The locked doors provide us a sense of security and safety. I believe it is beneficial for everyone because we know that we are truly safe and doing what we can to prevent a bad outcome.”

The new door policy aims to enhance school security by controlling access and reducing potential threats. While it may present some logistical challenges, the overall benefit of a safer environment outweighs the inconveniences. With proper planning and adjustments, students and staff can adapt to these measures effectively.