In response to safety concerns, Crockett High School has implemented new policies requiring students to present their school IDs upon entry and adding emergency exit doors equipped with alarms.
While seniors are still allowed to leave campus during lunch, these measures make it more difficult for underclassmen to leave without permission.
Sophomore Mayte Castelan-Sanchez expressed frustration with the new alarmed doors. “I don’t like it; it just keeps going off every single day. What happens if there is a personal emergency and you have to go out, and that’s the only door near you? What’s the point of having a door like that?”
Mayte also questioned the effectiveness of the ID policy, stating, “They don’t even really check the ID. With only a quick look, they let you pass, and a lot of people don’t use it or forget about them.”
Sophomore Hailey Landin shared similar concerns. “They never required us to have an ID last year to show when entering. They just look at it and say, ‘You’re good.’ They don’t even examine it. What happens if someone has a fake ID?”
Hailey also voiced concerns about the off-campus policy, arguing that underclassmen who demonstrate academic responsibility should be allowed to leave for lunch as well. “They should do something like allow students with passing grades—like a 75 or 80—to go out. Or maybe a teacher could give you a pass if you’re passing their class.”
Shana King, Crockett’s principal, explained that the door alarm policy was implemented primarily for school safety, helping to keep students inside during instructional hours and preventing unauthorized visitors from entering.
“We turned on alarms on all of the exterior doors at Crockett. These doors have alarms, but we have chosen to activate them in specific places for safety—both to keep people who aren’t supposed to be here out and to ensure students are where they’re supposed to be,” King said. “Anyone visiting the campus should come through the main office and identify themselves as a visitor.”
According to King, the idea for the new policies originated from the student council. They raised concerns about the building’s security, noting how easy it was for non-students and neighborhood residents to enter without proper authorization.
“The student council felt that the building was very unsecure,” King said. “So, putting the ID policy in place—whether an adult is checking your ID or you’re showing it to the doorbell camera—along with activating the alarms, helps enhance security.”
While the new policies have received mixed reactions from students, the administration remains focused on maintaining a safe and secure environment for everyone on campus.