New black metal fencing lines the west side of Lynden High School near the Vinup Road entrance as part of the school’s updated access-control measures. Photo by Bellingham Metro News.
LYNDEN, Wash. — Students returning to Lynden High School for the new school year are seeing a noticeable change around the campus, with new fencing and access-control measures now in place.
Photos taken by Bellingham Metro News show new black metal fencing along the west side of the high school near the Vinup Road entrance. The fencing runs alongside the building and limits direct access to several exterior doors, helping guide students toward designated routes around campus.
Lynden School District Superintendent David VanderYacht told Bellingham Metro News Monday afternoon that the fencing, along with an automatic gate installed east of the gymnasium, is part of an effort to improve access control at the school.
Before the school day begins, students and visitors are able to enter through three designated entrances. Once classes are underway, access is reduced to two entry doors.
The new fencing is intended to direct students around the back of classroom areas rather than having them regularly pass through exterior entry doors throughout the day. VanderYacht said the change significantly reduces how often those doors need to be used once school is in session.
After the school day begins, the two remaining entry doors are primarily intended for visitors and students arriving on campus for the first time that day.
“This fencing and an automatic gate installed east of gymnasium are part of our improved ‘access control,’” VanderYacht told BMN.
The fencing photographed by Bellingham Metro News is located on the west side of the building near the Vinup entrance, while the automatic gate referenced by VanderYacht is located east of the gymnasium.
Rather than simply adding another barrier around the school, the changes are intended to better control how people move onto and around the campus while reducing the number of doors being actively used during the school day.
VanderYacht said the system was put to use as students returned Monday and worked as district officials had planned.
“This is a significant access control measure that turned out exactly how it was envisioned and worked as intended today,” VanderYacht said.
The new fencing is among the most visible changes families and students will notice as Lynden High School begins another school year.
New fencing along the west side of Lynden High School near the Vinup Road entrance is part of the school’s updated access-control system. The changes are intended to better direct movement around campus and limit the number of exterior doors being used once the school day begins. Photos by Bellingham Metro News.
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