Before students left the Welches schools for the holiday break, the Oregon
Trail School District finalized security upgrades at the school, including the
addition of a camera at the school’s entrance that allows office personnel a
chance to see visitors and speak with them before allowing entry.

“I think all of our community and parents are supportive of keeping our
students safe,” Principal Kendra Payne said. “I know we feel more secure in
the office.”

The finalized upgrades will result in a major change when students return
after the break.

In the past, parents could enter the multipurpose room near the school
entrance to pick up their children, but now parents must remain in the new
vestibule while the children will be sent out to them.

“That’s a big change,” Payne said. “It’s a pretty small vestibule, so it’ll be
crowded.”

Payne acknowledged that the process may result in longer waiting times for
parents, but that she’s ready to make necessary adjustments.

She noted Naas Elementary School in Boring utilizes a number system that
allows parents to remain in their cars while their children are sent out to
them, which could be a potential option in Welches.

Payne added that most of the community feedback on the recent security
upgrades has been positive, while noting that most people entering the
building are already known to the school’s staff.

“We’re really fortunate that we know just about every adult that walks
through the doors,” Payne said.

“That’s what I love about Welches, we are a tight community.”

The district is upgrading security in all of its schools, including similar
vestibules and camera systems.

District spokesperson Julia Monteith reported upgrades are done at several
other schools, while the remaining upgrades should be complete by the end of
January.

Monteith added the upgrades stem from vulnerability assessments performed
by Sandy Police Chief Kim Yamashita in 2010.

“There’s a lot more being done now that is just making our schools and
classrooms and kids safer and more secure,” Monteith said.

“We’re getting there, we’ve been pretty tenacious about addressing every
single thing (in the assessments).”