Four Keller ISD elementary schools are piloting new software to improve campus safety.
North Riverside, Eagle Ridge, Keller-Harvel and Liberty began using the program earlier this year.
The V-Soft visitor software scans drivers’ licenses and checks them against sex offender databases from all 50 states. The program prints out a badge with the visitor’s picture, name, date, time and reason for visiting. On subsequent visits, the person shows his or her license and receives a new badge.
"I think overall it’s a user-friendly system," said Jeff Baker, director of planning and development.
Baker said that the district sent letters home with students from the pilot schools to explain the new program. The initial scans take a little time but the check-in process is quick on other visits.
Lisa Lewis, office aide at North Riverside, said that most parents approved of the new check-in procedure. "Once they know what the system is about, they get excited because we have a safe campus."
Out of 1,500 visitors processed this semester at the four schools, none have been on sex-offender lists. If schools are notified of a hit, campus administrators have a procedure for handling the visitor.
Baker said the scanning is encrypted and secure, guarding against possible identity theft. He would like to see the V-Soft system implemented on all other KISD campuses over the next year. The cost, estimated at $80,000 to $100,000, could be included in the next budget or bond package.