Security

Newtown Public Schools Adds Visitor Management Software

• By Dian Schaffhauser
• 10/08/15

The school system that suffered the worst school shooting ever in an elementary school is continuing to bolster its safety and security. The latest addition at Newtown Public School District is an upgrade of its visitor management software. The district has accepted a joint donation from the National Association of School Resource Officers (NASRO) and Raptor Technologies to install the Raptor System. Newtown's Sandy Hook Elementary School was the site of the 2012 event in which 20 children and six staff members lost their lives to an armed man.

The new software will enable schools to screen visitors against a custom watch list and a national database of registered sex offenders. Over the last three years the district has added numerous security features inside and outside of its schools, including a school resource officer at every site.

"Our highest priority is the safety of our students, staff, and visitors," said Superintendent Joseph Erardi Jr. in a press release. "By implementing measures like the Raptor system, we are adding to our existing security initiatives to ensure a protective environment, while continuing to foster a positive learning experience for our students."

Other K-12 customers of Raptor include New Jersey's Fort Lee High School, Wisconsin's Hortonville Area School District and California's Val Verde Unified School District.