KISD visitors must submit to sex offender scans

Kilgore Heights Principal Duane Deen uses the new Raptor scanning system which uses Tx. Drivers License or ID cards to scan visitors through the National Sex Offender Data base. Kyle Peters, (right) KISD technology department installed the unit on Friday. Units will be at all schools. Getting in to visit Kilgore schools will require a bit more time this school year, but students should be safer from intruders than in past years.

A new visitor registry system will be in place at Kilgore High School, Maude Laird Middle School, Kilgore Intermediate School, Chandler Elementary School and Kilgore Heights Elementary starting Aug. 25.

Jody Clements, superintendent, said the new system — Raptor Technologies V-Soft visitor identification program — is a tracking system that scans state-issued identification cards or Texas drivers licenses and compares them to the national sex offender data base.

"Once a person's ID has been scanned, when they visit again scanning won't be necessary again. We'll just type in their name and an ID badge is printed out with the visitor's name, picture and school they are visiting," said Clements. "Everyone who enters any school facility must be scanned, no exceptions, and a visitor's name tag must be worn while at that campus."

The ID scan takes only a few seconds and it tells KISD personnel whether that visitor is listed in the national sex offender data base and it brings up the picture of the offender to compare to the picture on the visitor's ID card or drivers license for comparison said Clements. "If a person trying to enter a campus is confirmed a registered sex offender, security procedures are in place to make the proper notifications at that time," said Clements.

Clements said KISD students' safety is a primary concern for the district. This process will help all students be safe.

Mark Lane, head of the technology department at Kilgore schools, said the system for all five campuses cost $8000.

No person without a scannable picture ID will be allowed to enter a KISD campus, Lane said.