Mandated:

N.J.S.A. 18A:7G-5.2 requires that the board of education adopt policies and procedures that clearly indicate that propping open doors is strictly prohibited, and that students and staff shall not open a door for anyone. All persons seeking entry to the building shall be directed to the main entrance.

Other Reasons:

N.J.S.A. 18A:7G-5.2 requires the following measures be taken to ensure that access to the school is limited to the designated entrances and that individuals other than students and staff may be admitted only when authorized:

A. Clearly mark the school’s main entrance and make it easily visible and recognizable;

B. Limit the number of doors for access by staff;

C. Lock exterior doors, and when they are in use for a large entry/exit provide that they are staffed and monitored;

D. Clearly mark all entrances with a numerical sequence to allow for specific response by police, fire, and emergency medical services responders;

It is advisable to have a policy statement limiting school visits to those that will not disrupt the educational program.

Recommendation:

A policy authorizing the chief school administrator to devise regulations governing visits of anyone who is neither a pupil nor employee in the particular school.

Attitudes toward classroom visitation vary widely; if a board wishes to limit any such visits, it should address this in the policy.

Legal References: N.J.S.A. 2C:18 3 Unlicensed entry of structures, defiant trespasser; peering
into dwelling places; defenses
N.J.S.A. 2C:33 2 Disorderly conduct
N.J.S.A. 18A:7G-5.2 Public school facilities, certain, security measures required
N.J.S.A. 18A:11 1 General mandatory powers and duties
N.J.S.A. 18A:54-20 Powers of board (county vocational schools)
N.J.S.A. 26:3D-55 et seq. New Jersey Smoke-Free Air Act

Possible
Cross References: *1220 Ad hoc advisory committees
*3327 Relations with vendors
*3515 Smoking prohibition
*4131/4131.1 Staff development; inservice education/visitations/conferences
*5020 Role of parents/guardians
*5124 Reporting to parents/guardians
*5125 Pupil records
*5142 Pupil safety
*5145.11 Questioning and apprehension
*6144 Controversial issues
*9010 Role of the member

*Indicates policy is included in the Critical Policy Reference Manual.