In this featured piece by CNY Central, the outlet reports on a new visitor security system being rolled out across all six Fayetteville-Manlius Central School District schools ahead of the new school year. The system, called Visitor Aware, requires a valid photo ID and runs a check against national databases, including the FBI and sex offender registries, before issuing a visitor badge. Superintendent Dr. Craig Tice said the system adds another layer of protection by flagging level-one sex offenders who may not be listed in publicly available registries. The new system is part of a $15 million safety and security upgrade that voters approved the previous year, alongside new security cameras and communication improvements.
Key Takeaways
- All six Fayetteville-Manlius Central School District schools will use the Visitor Aware system to check in visitors starting this school year.
- The system requires a valid photo ID and checks visitors against national databases, including the FBI and sex offender registries, before issuing a badge.
- Superintendent Dr. Craig Tice said the system can help flag level-one sex offenders even though their names and addresses aren’t always publicly listed in New York.
- Vera House, an advocacy organization for survivors of domestic and sexual violence, praised the district for taking a proactive, non-intrusive safety step.
- The new system is part of a $15 million safety and security upgrade that voters approved the previous year, and it does not check for immigration status or past criminal records unrelated to safety.
Original Story
The Fayetteville-Manlius Central School District is rolling out a new security measure designed to better protect students, staff, and families.
Beginning this school year, visitors across all six F-M schools will check in through a new system called Visitor Aware. The technology requires a valid photo ID and then runs a quick check against national databases, including the FBI and sex offender registries, before issuing a visitor badge.
Superintendent Dr. Craig Tice said the change adds another layer of protection.
“I think the networking with the national databases, not just the sex offender registry but FBI databases, it just gives us more coverage,” Tice explained.