Dear OHI Families and Staff, 

Safety continues to be a top priority for all of us here at Oak Harbor Intermediate and Oak Harbor Public Schools. As previously communicated by Superintendent Michelle Kuss-Cybula, our school will soon be piloting a new door-locking system and related procedures. The safety enhancement to our front door is intended to provide an additional layer of safety for our students and staff at Oak Harbor Intermediate. This message shares more about the rollout and implementation of this new system and what families can expect beginning next week when they come to our school.

New Front Door Locking System & Procedures Beginning January 17, 2024

Beginning on January 17, 2024, Oak Harbor Intermediate School will have a new front door locking system and procedures. We have developed a short video tutorial and FAQs to assist families and staff with the transition to this new safety system. The tutorial and FAQs can also be found on the District website. 

When families arrive at Oak Harbor Intermediate during school hours, they will need to be buzzed in to be able to enter the school through the front door. Families will see a device with a button and camera (similar to a ring doorbell) at the front door entrance; they will then press the button on the device, which will alert our front office staff that someone needs to be let into the building.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why the transition to this new system? 
The safety enhancement to our front door is intended to provide an additional layer of safety for our students and staff at Oak Harbor Intermediate.  Based on feedback from families, Oak Harbor Public Schools continued to prioritize these safety enhancements despite continued budget constraints and the recent bond failure.

Will families need to be buzzed in to drop off students before school in the morning?
No, the front entrance will be locked beginning at 9:10 am until the end of the school day. The doors will be open for twenty minutes after the school day ends and will re-lock until the following morning. 

Will families need to be buzzed in to pick students up prior to the end of the school day?
After dismissal, students can be picked up at the designated pick-up locations and the doors will be open for twenty minutes after the school day ends. After that families will need to be buzzed in to ​enter the building.

Will families need to be buzzed in to drop off a student’s lunch or medications during school hours?
Anyone who is not a staff member will need to be buzzed in to enter the building after school begins at 9:10 am.

When will other schools receive this safety enhancement?
Due to our continued budget constraints on public schools and the failure of our most recent bond, OHPS will only be able to provide these upgrades one building at a time. We hope to provide an update on when this can be rolled out to other buildings soon.

Do staff members need to be buzzed in to enter the building during school hours?
No, staff members will be provided with a key card to get into the building during school hours without being buzzed in.