VAN BUREN — Every classroom in the district now has a new lock that automatically locks whenever the latch is closed, the school board was told at a meeting Tuesday night.
District Maintenance Superintendent Danny Spears said the teacher needed a key to open the classroom door. Spears said the new locks were partly caused by reports from school inspectors that classroom doors weren’t secure enough.
“We’re trying to eliminate the moment of panic. Close the door,” Spears explained. “As soon as you hear this thing slam shut, you’re good to go. It takes a lot of responsibility off the teacher.”
He criticized many of the locks, which he considered overly complex, which could be fatal in urgent or urgent situations, he said. Spears buys pantry locks because of their simplicity and cost-effectiveness. Since the installation, other school districts have contacted Van Buren about using pantry locks in their classrooms, he said.
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