ROCKINGHAM COUNTY –- Nearly $200,000 will now go toward making Rockingham County's schools secure.

Right now, anyone who visits Elkton Middle School can walk right through the front doors, past the main office and directly into the school. Several other Rockingham County schools are set up the same way, with little security.

That's going to change. The Rockingham County School Board just approved a plan to change the entrances of schools, like Elkton Middle School, to make them secure. That way no one will be able to just open the door and walk into the school.

Assistant Principal Emily Holloway said she's excited about the new layout.

"This current doorway that we have, it will come straight up past our door and close this off," said Holloway.

She said there will be a door for students to come straight through in the mornings, but after the tardy bell rings, all visitors will be forced to walk through the main office first.

"At 8:05, this door here will become locked and everything after 8:05 will be directed through the office area."

That's where visitors will check in and get their picture taken before entering the school. Part of this project will also install security cameras and intercom systems at the entrances of the schools that need them.

Holloway said she's glad the school board and county supervisors are making these changes so quickly.

"Bottom line for all of us, we do want to take safety seriously, and we want students to feel safe and we want parents to feel safe sending their students to our schools."

The Rockingham County superintendent said the money for this project comes from the county supervisors. She said this money will help change the entrances of eight schools by May.

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