In the beginning of the 2025-2026 school year, rumors of a brand-new fence were whispered throughout the hallways. That rumor quickly became true when construction on the mysterious fence started being built in the Fall of this school year. 

Marco Island Academy has been an open campus ever since the fortified building was finalized in August 2021. Before that, MIA was a collection of trailers on a plot of land.  Of course, this foreign installment sparked many students to be curious, often asking innocent questions like “why do we need a fence?” 

Though the physical fence has been built and solid for months, there are still technological components that have yet to be added. Before, it was a mystery as to what those components specifically are but now, things are being finished up and deals are being sealed to make the fence fully functional. 

Dean of Students, Kevin Ray, has been coordinating the construction of the fence, requiring work behind-the-scenes to make sure that the fence is going to be the best of the best, explaining  “We discussed with three different vendors to get quotes for all the electrical work that is going to be invested into the gate part of the fence.”

The team on the fence has finally secured a vendor and has been working extensively with the access control vendor, as well as Marco Island Fire Rescue and Police Department to make sure the access control not only works properly to allow students to pass through without a problem, but also that it is compliant and allows instant access for emergency responders to get through easily.

The system itself will be aligned with current action control systems as well as surveillance cameras, which will be equipped with scanners to be able to let student and staff vehicles through the gate through controlled times. As for visitors, they will be required to use the dual camera/phone system at the entry of the gate to communicate with Mr. Ray, the main office, or MIA’s School Resource Officer, Paul Ashby. 

This fence essentially adds an additional layer of protection for the population of MIA in order to ensure school safety, allowing people to be screened before driving onto school property. “We will be able to identify people before they even make it onto campus,” said Ashby.

With a new and improved security system, students, staff, and parents alike will share a peace of mind, knowing students can have a safe and interrupted learning experience.