By Lisa Singleton-Rickman, Associated Press
Florence, AL – When visitors go to Deshler Middle School, the office must buzz them in before they can enter.
Buzzer systems, resource officers, lockdown drills, cameras and other safety measures are among extra precautions put in place after the April 20, 1999, shooting massacre at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado.
On that day, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold entered the Colorado high school and killed 12 students and one teacher, wounded 23 others, then killed themselves.
The shootings prompted educators across the country to evaluate security at their schools.
"Safety of the students and faculty in this school is first, bottom line," said Principal Robert Mullen, of the middle school in Tuscumbia.
"We got the buzzer system just after Columbine and it's a soft lockdown that we're on all the time in that all the exterior doors are locked all the time," Mullen said. "Everyone visiting the campus is directed to the main entrance and we teach our students from the very first orientation session not to open the door for just anyone who walks up. We talk to teachers daily about being vigilant and always keeping the lines of communication open with students."
Central High School Principal David Corl said a lockdown was unheard of 10 years ago.
"Now, we practice them just like we do weather drills," Corl said. "We have cameras in all the hallways and the lunchroom that record every moment, and the monitor is in my office so I can see what's going on at all times.
"Ten years ago, someone coming into a school with a gun would have never crossed your mind. Now, you can't even joke about a gun anymore. Any mention of a gun or hit list is taken seriously, very seriously, even if it was said as a prank," Corl said.
Harris and Klebold reportedly had been bullied at school before the killing spree.
"I try to emphasize to our teachers and staff the importance of being aware of the things that are affecting people," said Lauderdale County Superintendent Billy Valentine. "We want to be as preventive as possible. We do it with counseling, trying to teach them there are different ways to handle disagreements and you don't have to become violent, or physical or vindictive.
"And through character education, we're trying to instill in the students to respect one another. You don't have to like someone, but you don't have to become violent."
At Colbert County High School, Principal Jackie Witt said hiring a school resource officer helped students feel safe and provided peace of mind for parents.
"Columbine, along with other violent acts at schools across the country, have really raised that level of alertness in all educators," Witt said. "But Columbine definitely initiated the drive in this area for schools to have tighter security and strong, proactive safety plans in place."
There isn't a buzzer system on the door at Colbert County High School, but security cameras are in place at every entrance. The high school office has been relocated to a more central area of the building for easily identifiable access, and a school resource officer is routinely on campus.
"(Students) are comfortable with our resource officer and they talk to him," Witt said. "I have no doubt that he has the kind of rapport with our students that in this age is vitally necessary for a safe school."
In the 10 years since the school began implementing changes, officials report few complaints about the security measures.
"I've never been told by a parent that having to identify themselves at the door was an inconvenience at all," Mullen said.
Colbert County High School requires visitors to wear a badge, and no one has refused, officials said.
"You get a badge to let everyone know who you are," Witt said. "We all want the same thing: the safest school possible."