A Look Inside One Area School's Heightened Security

In the aftermath of the tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut, security has been top of mind for educators across the nation.

As schools rethink their safety plans, one school right here in northeast Indiana is already on the cutting edge.

The DeKalb Eastern School district uses an instant background check system for all visitors.  The new security measure tells school officials the criminal history of anyone who walks into the building. 

"It's just another tool and the more tools you have in your bag the safer everyone is," said Berlin Slone, the safety resource officer at Eastside Junior-Senior High School. 

The newest tool for the DeKalb Eastern School District is an instant background check system.  It's just one measure Superintendent Dr. Jeffrey Stephens says helps improve student safety.

"For us it's a case to make sure we are doing everything we can to make sure everyone inside the school is safe," said Stephens. 

"If a visitor comes into the school it scans them and does a background check in all 50 states and if they committed a felony of some nature it lets us know," said Slone. 

If the system detects a felon a text message is sent to all school officials alerting them of the problem. 

Larry Yoder the principal of Eastside Junior-Senior High School says the mere presence of the background checks deters people with criminal backgrounds from entering the school.

"The formality of producing their drivers license puts a different level of formality on why you are here and we're aware that you are here and we know your background," said Yoder.   

The district has been using the screening devices for about two weeks and has not scanned anyone with a serious criminal past.