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Albany High School has introduced new safety measures starting today. Students will now pass through walk-through bag scanners to ensure they are not carrying any dangerous items. This change aims to make entry for the school's 2,700 students faster, smoother, and less intrusive. The school district initially planned to implement these procedures in November but delayed the launch to address community concerns and ensure proper communication with parents.
According to News10, Superintendent Joseph Hochreiter acknowledged the oversight in communication and assured parents that better engagement would occur moving forward. The district held several public presentations to address questions and concerns about the new technology.
The new system replaces manual bag checks with machines that display contents on screens, enhancing efficiency and privacy. If a walk-through scanner beeps, a security team member will use a hand scanner to clear the student. If the bag scanner beeps, the bag will be manually re-searched. The City School District of Albany believes these upgrades will enhance safety for students, employees, and visitors while improving efficiency at morning entry.
Students are encouraged to arrive between 8 a.m. and 8:15 a.m. to prevent delays. The district serves about 8,800 students across 16 schools, including Albany High School. The new security measures are part of a broader effort to maintain a safe learning environment for all.