A Southampton Middle School student was suspended Thursday for opening an exterior door for a visitor.
“Students are not allowed to open the doors, and if anyone does, they will be suspended,” said Dr. Wayne K. Smith, executive director of administration and personnel.
A districtwide policy prohibiting students and staff from opening doors to the outside was recently adopted after a $10,800 security system was installed at the middle school, Southampton High School, Southampton Technical Career Center and Nottoway, Meherrin and Capron elementary schools. Riverdale Elementary had a similar system installed when it was built three years ago.
All of the schools’ doors are locked during the day. Visitors must ring a buzzer and look into a camera before office personnel can let them in.