Forest Grove School District limiting campus access as part of new security measures

As the Forest Grove School District escalates safety measures, campuses will not be as accessible to community members.

Starting at the beginning of May, new signage will be posted at all district campuses — giving notice that school grounds are closed to the public during school days, as well as the hours between sunset and sunrise.

New fencing and lockable gates are also being added to ensure student safety, the district announced.

“Student and staff safety are our top priorities,” superintendent Dave Parker said in a release. “By limiting access, we can help ensure that students remain safe at school, their education is uninterrupted and that unapproved activities do not take place on our campuses.”

The next several months will see the district establish “secured perimeters” and place signage to cover all of the district’s properties.

Unauthorized visitors will be asked to leave during access-limited times, but community members can still use district facilities during permitted hours.

“This process will take time, but in the end, we all want our campuses to be as safe as possible for our students," Parker said.

The measures fall in line with a commitment from the district in its 2022 bond, which allocated funds for new security measures.

A nearly $530,000 purchase was made back in January for the district’s first wave of security camera upgrades , including additions and adjustments to three schools. A new secure entry vestibule will also be built at Neil Armstrong Middle School, and seismic upgrades will be made at several schools.

More updates about the new investments are available at fgsdk12.org/bond .