School board approves search policy; schools add secure vestibules

September 17, 2025 by Ben Pounds

Even though a new state law requires more staff training for student searches, Anderson County Director of Schools Tim Parrott said he is confident in the school system’s safety procedures.

“You can say safety is our first priority, and we’re going to make sure everybody’s safe,” Parrott said, adding that some measures remain confidential.

The Anderson County Board of Education unanimously approved a policy Sept. 11 to comply with the law.

Parrott and Board Chairman Scott Gillenwaters said the policy permits searches of students only by staff members who have completed a state-required video training course.

Parrott explained that the policy applies only to school staff. School resource officers may investigate when they suspect a law has been broken.

By contrast, school security officers or administrators may conduct searches for evidence of school policy violations or to find dangerous weapons, drugs or drug paraphernalia.



Safety vestibules

Parrott also said the system is working to install safety vestibules — secure checkpoints at school entrances — and ultimately plans to add them to every campus.

The process has been slow, he said, because of the need for engineers, fire marshal approval and contractors.

Clinch River Community School, Lake City Elementary School, Norwood Middle School and the new Claxton Elementary School will have vestibules. Designs are still in progress for Norris Elementary and Grand Oaks Elementary.

Construction costs range from $60,000 to $75,000 per school.

A safety vestibule is a secure entry space that visitors must pass through before entering the school, and staff members can screen them before granting access.

Parrott said vestibules are an “extra layer of security” that can buy staff time to initiate lockdown procedures or alert law enforcement if an intruder tries to enter a school.