Loveland, Ohio – Effective Monday, Nov. 2, all doors at all buildings within the Loveland City School District will be locked; access will be granted through a buzzer system, “…after visitors identify themselves and the party they have come to visit.”
“This is a result of feedback we have received from members of the Tiger Family,” said Loveland Business Manager John Ames. “Visitors will still receive the warm greeting they have come to expect at our buildings, but with the added protection to students and staff of audio and visual screening.”
These security upgrades are the result of receiving a state grant of $5,000-per-building for the primary purpose of providing front entry door security. District administrators worked with each building to tailor individual plans to make the security upgrades.
“The safety and security of our students and staff are of the utmost importance to our Board of Education and our administrative team,” said Loveland Superintendent Chad Hilliker. “In addition to the enhanced security measures at our buildings, we continue to maintain a strong relationship with the Loveland Police Department and we have a caring, involved District Safety Committee that is in constant review of our efforts – always seeking ways we can improve. Screening visitors was a precaution we could all agree would help ease the minds of our Tiger Family, and that is why the decision was made.”
On Thursday, Oct. 15, during the installation process, a software issue inadvertently caused the automated police notification system to be activated. The Loveland Police Department immediately responded to the high school and the building was placed on lock down. Many district parents received messages from their panicked children that an active shooter was inside the school and have been upset that the district did not notify the parents immediately via the school “direct emergency” alert notification system that they had signed up for. The “mass, direct communication system” has the capability to distribute email, text, and voice message alerts.
