After years of being an open campus, MIA is taking a major step forward to increase safety with the installation of a fence. This project reflects the commitment from the community and administration that they have to keep our students and staff safe while at school.
“Safety and security of students and staff is our number one priority,” Dean of Students Kevin Ray explained. “Without a fence and gate, we are challenged with preventing or prohibiting access by a possible external threat.”
The Florida Department of Education has also placed a strong emphasis on ensuring that all campuses are safe and fenced in, making this a key component to the schools overall safety and security.
How the Gate is Going to Function
The new fence will feature a motorized gate with an access control system, including code scanners and direct access to first responders. While some elements are still being finalized (such as student drivers having access tags or badges on their vehicle), this system is designed to add an extra layer of security.
Students: Plans are underway to determine whether student badges will be connected to the system. MIA wants to avoid situations where students can enter through the wrong access point. Walkers and bike riders will have their own gate by the sidewalk so they can get in safely.
Dual Enrollment Students: Special procedures will be put into place to ensure that these students can get in and out of the school efficiently.
Parents: For early pickups, parents will be able to push the button at the gate to gain access, and then once they are let in they can sign out their student as they have prior to the gate.
Coaches and Staff: Coaches who are not full time staff members will be given access when needed.
Sports and Events: The school anticipates to leave the gate open on nights there are events, giving easy access to buses, visiting teams, and fans.
Deliveries and Outside Access
Food delivery services such as Doordash, Uber Eats, etc. will no longer be permitted. The school cited safety concerns about letting unverified individuals on school grounds. “We give access to over 300 heartbeats that are important to us, and we don’t know if they (delivery people) should be here or not,” Mr. Ray noted. All deliveries will be received at the front of the school, and we will continue all of our partnerships with the local restaurants on the Island.
The Impact on Our Campus
This new addition will have a positive impact on our school and the campus by adding an additional layer of protection.
Beyond safety, the fence will also protect the school itself and the facilities the community has worked so hard for us to have. “A lot of community and individual effort has contributed to our new facility, and we want to ensure that we can protect it,” Mr. Ray added.
While some of the logistics to the fence are still being worked out, the project has been moving smoothly with no major challenges during the installation process.
The fence is just another part of the plan to ensure the safety of everyone at the school. “It’s just another layer,” Mr. Ray emphasized, “We want to do our best to keep our home, and the individuals in it safe, every day.”
