Needing a pass to go to a high school

[Mr. X]

I was just told I need a pass to go to the only high school we cover athletic area during the school day when I'm there to get statistics and interview coaches.

I've been doing this for one month short of 17 years and have never been told this before.

I think this stems from the fact I wrote that the football team was shut out five consecutive times and some other negative statistics. This was not a problem when its boys' basketball team won its second section championship in its long history in 2015.

I have already taken one step forward with the publisher. I will ask for a pass for the rest of the school year because having to go to the main office each time I am there is quite time consuming.

How many of you need passes to go to the school's athletic area during the time that beings with lunch and runs into the start of practice time?

 

[BurnsWhenIPee]

I thought that was pretty standard these days. I know if I have to go to my kids' school for any reason while there are kids in the building, they won't even unlock the front door unless I flash my ID to the little camera at the door, and I have to get a pass to get through the inner set of doors.

 

[Mr. X]

There's no security at the entrance to the athletic building. There are security guards around, but none have ever said anything to me.

 

[TheSportsPredictor]

Go in without one.

 

[Baron Scicluna]

School might be doing this to cover their butts, even though they know you well. My kids' schools are locked from the outside during the day, and everyone has to be buzzed in, sign in at the front, and get a visitor's pass.

 

[BurnsWhenIPee]

School might be doing this to cover their butts, even though they know you well. My kids' schools are locked from the outside during the day, and everyone has to be buzzed in, sign in at the front, and get a visitor's pass.

Yep. Is this really the hill to die on, demanding unfettered access and being able to go where you please without jumping through the hoops everyone else has to jump through?

 

[PaperClip529]

If you think this is retribution for an article you wrote, you might be thinking a little too highly of yourself.

I don't know of many schools in our coverage area that don't require visitors to check in. Hell, my wife is a teacher and I can't drop off the lunch she forgot without going through security (aka the secretaries). It's a precaution. Better that a school inconveniences a couple of people for a few minutes than have something happen with an un-checked guest that could get them in legal trouble.

 

[Mr. X]

Just seems like it is an amazing coincidence this comes up after the next to last game at what is probably the worst season in the school's history.

 

[HanSenSE]

If you go on campus while class is in session, you'll need a pass. Only time I've had to go on campus during that time is for scholarship ceremonies. Otherwise, I'm at the gym, stadium, practice fields, pools, wherever, but it's after class hours.

Also: What PaperClip529 Said. Don't think too much of yourself, this business has a way of knocking you on your ass.

 

[Mr. X]

Never thought of class being in session during lunch.

 

[Spartan Squad]

If the school wanted to lock you out there are far more effective ways than making you sign in and get a pass. The school makes everyone else sign in. In fact I'd wager there is a sign out front that says all visitors must sign in. You either finally ran into someone who is a stickler for the rules, the school got a mandate from on high to force everyone to sign in or they finally caught you going in. I have two schools in the primary city I cover. Both are in the same district with the same rules about signing in during class time (lunch included). One doesn't care if I walk on campus to go to an event in the quad or to the gym. The other is very good about stopping me before I get 5 feet on to campus. It is just a matter of who is working at which school. Don't take it so personally unless the coaches actually stop giving you the stats.

 

[HanSenSE]

Never thought of class being in session during lunch.

To them it is. Which is all that matters.

 

[Mr. X]

There is no signage in front of the gym/athletic area.

I feel like I'm being bullied.

 

[MNgremlin]

Never thought of class being in session during lunch.

Does the entire school eat lunch at the same time? If not, class is in session even if the kids you're talking to are on lunch break.

 

[JohnHammond]

Never thought of class being in session during lunch.

I wouldn't want any reporter who is this clueless about security around a school.

 

[steveu]

One of the biggest schools in our coverage region recently revamped its main entrance so you are automatically funneled into the main office. You can't go anywhere else in the building, just right through the office. You can get visitors passes, etc.

 

[Mr. X]

Does the entire school eat lunch at the same time? If not, class is in session even if the kids you're talking to are on lunch break.

The entire school eats lunch at the same time. I pretty much never speak to the students except to ask questions like, "Is you coach here?" or "Have you seen your coach today?"

 

[Southwinds]

The entire school eats lunch at the same time. I pretty much never speak to the students except to ask questions like, "Is you coach here?" or "Have you seen your coach today?"

I'm amused that a dozen other people in this thread are telling you that you're being unreasonable and you're just carrying on as if the discussion has continued.

If you hadn't caught the gist by now ... you're being unreasonable.

 

[Monday Morning Sportswriter]

The entire school eats lunch at the same time. I pretty much never speak to the students except to ask questions like, "Is you coach here?" or "Have you seen your coach today?"

Is this Mayberry High School?

 

[da man]

The entire school eats lunch at the same time. I pretty much never speak to the students except to ask questions like, "Is you coach here?" or "Have you seen your coach today?"

It doesn't matter what you're asking. That isn't why any security measures are in place.