Madison SD Installs Electronic Door Locks, Internet-Based Phones to Enhance Safety

Madison Metropolitan School District installed electronic locks and internet-based phones with increased functionality as part of an upgraded district-wide security plan.

The $6.5 million security plan was partially funded by a grant program the Wisconsin state government established last year in a response to a mass shooting at a Florida High school. Madison was awarded $1 million in the first round of funding and $1.5 million in the second round. The rest of the plan was covered by local funds.

More than 4,600 locks have been swapped out across the district. The electronic locks — which are controlled by staff ID badges — automatically locks people from coming in a room once the door is closed, unless they have a badge.

About 4,100 new phones have been put in all schools but the software that increases the phone’s capabilities will be installed throughout the fall semester. Once added, the phones will be able to page an individual classroom through the PA system and send out emergency notifications to families.

“This new phone system gives us a ton of flexibility and functionality because it is run over the internet,” director of building services, Chad Wiese told a local newspaper.

In addition, the school district is adding more than 400 cameras and window-hardening film to main entrances of schools, designed to slow down active shooters.

In order to receive the grant funding from the state, teachers needed to complete associated safety training. The district also trained staff and teachers on new standardized emergency response procedures.

About the Author

Yvonne Marquez is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. She can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • Rice University to Build New Student Life Complex

    Rice University in Houston, Texas, recently announced that a groundbreaking ceremony for the upcoming Moody Center Complex for Student Life (MCCSL) will take place on May 8, 2025, according to a university news release. The 75,000-square-foot facility was designed by architecture firm Olson Kundig with Page serving as executive architect, and it has an estimated completion date of fall 2027.

  • Boosting Student Wellness and Safety Through Indoor-Outdoor School Spaces

    Engaging students through facilities designed for indoor and outdoor learning and activities reflects a growing awareness of how children learn and thrive, with educators recognizing the importance of getting outside and disconnecting from technology. And, as today’s youth grapple with the urgent mental health crisis of increased anxiety and loneliness fueled by both the pandemic and technology, along with a related crisis in youth physical health, the wellness benefits of getting outside have never been so palpable.

  • Thomas F. Frist, Jr. College of Medicine

    Established in 1999, the Education Design Showcase is a vehicle for showing off innovative — yet practical — solutions in planning, design, architecture, and construction. Thomas F. Frist, Jr. College of Medicine has been recognized with an EDS 2025 Project of Distinction award in the category of New Construction.

  • Active Learning Classroom

    Striking a Balance: The Keys to Renovating Science Education Buildings for the 21st Century

    The recent renovation of the Durham Science Center at the University of Nebraska-Omaha (UNO) provides a roadmap for facilities managers tasked with balancing budget constraints, modern pedagogical demands, and long-term sustainability.

Digital Edition