| Access to Calhoun's three public schools will be changing this year, according to Superintendent Roger Propst, with new security features being installed under the state's Safe Schools Act.
The county has received about $82,000 in grant money, with the local school system required to match the amount with a 6% allocation.
How the public, school personnel and students enter and leave the buildings will see a noticeable change later this year.
Propst said doors to the school buildings have been locked, except for the main entrance, but now those doorways will be secured during the school day, requiring visitors to use a buzzer.
Office personnel will be controlling access, with TV cameras and audio capabilities. TV camera observation will be recorded.
All county school personnel will be issued ID badges.
"This is the first stage of a number of security issues that will likely be adopted," Propst said.
The West Virginia Department of Education is offering both short- and long-term recommendations to school districts to help establish safe schools, protecting the children and the professionals who teach them.
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