Lining the pockets of consultants, architects and general contractors, while giving students (often poor ones and people of color) an early taste of how society views them: as worthy of being surveilled, controlled and confined.
A determined criminal could defeat any of the security measures mentioned in this article, and not necessarily by physical means (finding the unlocked service door, figuring out when no one is monitoring the cameras, copying a key/key card/fob/security code, propping a door open, etc.) but more likely, by social engineering (talking their way in, impersonating a district employee, dressing up as a maintenance person or a delivery person, etc.).
As for insiders with problems, I hate to ask the obvious question, but how would a carefully-monitored, single entrance stop a *student* with bad intentions? They can walk right in because they’re enrolled.
I am glad I attended high school before this culture of suspicion, paranoia and fear had taken hold. Our open campus was integrated into the neighborhood. Students could choose between eating in the cafeteria, walking home for lunch, or going out to the nearby pizza place, burger joint, or convenience store. We were treated like human beings with agency and autonomy, and this helped us to grow up.
What will kids who have been driven to school and then locked in the building each day for 13 years do after the shackles are removed?
Why are we designing for the worst-case scenario, and designing ineffectively, at that? Doors, fences and cameras don’t prevent school violence. Social change — making sure every kid has a safe and pleasant home, one or more loving parents, health care, enough food, some books and activities to enjoy, etc. — would do the trick.
To start, let’s spend the money wasted on fences, cameras, automated locks, walkie-talkies and megaphones for frustrated and self-important vice-principals, etc., on more teaching positions, an extra guidance counselor position, more books for the school library, some computers and software for the students, etc.