Security grant makes it easier to lock doors with confidence

BVSD is making significant strides in enhancing school safety through the Colorado Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management Grant awarded for $1,030,471.50 to upgrade door lock hardware across our facilities.

Phase 1 of the project has been successfully completed, with new, consistent, and easy-to-use door hardware—such as push locks, thumb turns, and crash bars—installed on 1,269 classroom doors across 34 of our 56 schools. This upgrade ensures that students, staff, and visitors can secure themselves quickly and effectively during an emergency without using a key, aligning with national best practices and addressing lessons learned from past incidents. 

We are now in Phase 2 of the grant, focusing on assessing and upgrading the remaining add-on doors to complete all instructional spaces district-wide. This phase involves a detailed inventory and evaluation by our Facilities Management team and contractor to ensure every classroom meets the same high standard of security. Once Phase 2 is complete, we will evaluate remaining funding to potentially address office spaces and other non-instructional areas.

Alongside these physical improvements, our Safety, Security, and Emergency Services team continues to train staff and students on the new hardware, integrating these updates into our Standard Response Protocol drills and community education efforts.

This multi-phased approach underscores our commitment to creating a safer environment in BVSD.