Baltimore City Public Schools (City Schools) is implementing a multi-year security hardware initiative to enhance safety across school buildings by upgrading door locks and frames in older campuses. This proactive effort is designed to improve security measures and ensure staff can more effectively secure classrooms and office spaces in emergencies.
Design and planning are underway to replace over 7,600 door lock mechanisms. These upgrades will equip classrooms, gymnasiums, cafeterias, health suites, and other key areas with enhanced locking mechanisms that allow doors to be locked from the inside, addressing a critical safety need.
Focus on high schools first, followed by other grade levels.
The initiative prioritizes 26 high schools in the first phase, as data indicates that most security incidents occur at this level, often involving current or former students. Please note that schools co-located on the high school campus will be a part of this project. Future phases, including kindergarten through grade 8 and traditional middle schools, will be scheduled later, contingent upon funding availability and contractor resources.
Implementation and funding:
The first phase of installations is already underway in high schools.
Future phases will be implemented as funding becomes available and align with the district’s long-term security improvement plans.
Schools that have recently undergone modernization through the 21st Century Schools Buildings Program or have existing security hardware are not included in this upgrade.