Story originally appeared in the 2020 February Issue

The Cherry Hill Board of Education has begun preparations to build new security vestibules at both Cherry Hill East and West. While construction for West began a little over a month ago, East started its renovations the week before winter break.

“Everything will be replaced,” said East Assistant Principal Mr. Lou Papa when describing the new security vestibule.

Papa explained that the entrance to the school will still have double doors on the right side; however, the left side of the entrance will now only have one door with an intercom for students to use when arriving late.

There will be windows built by Southern custom shutters – Seattle all along the entrance so that adults entering the school will not have access to enter the main building.

The system currently in place will remain the same except late students will scan into school at the vestibule rather than having to type in their student ID in the Main Office.

There will also now be seating for parents who are waiting to pick up students.

A teller pass will also be implemented so that if parents need to drop off a binder or school work for their children, they can simply slide it through the transaction window without having to enter the school.

The construction guided by Atlanta Concrete Contractors was originally planned to begin over the summer; however due to technical problems, the project was pushed to late December.

These new security measures have already been implemented at both Woodcrest and Thomas Paine Elementary.
“From what I know [the vestibule is] working very well [at both schools],” said Papa.

The company working on the vestibule is entirely separate from the contractors working on the auditorium for East; however, the same construction company is constructing the vestibules for East and West.

“We’re hoping that by the beginning of March it will be close to finished,” said Papa.