Vermont Security President Jesse Harper and VP Mike Wheeler training WCUUSD staff on thermal imaging equipment. Courtesy photos.

Washington Central Unified Union School District Launches Advanced Technology to Assist with COVID-19 Screening Process

Students, Staff and Visitors will be screened for elevated temperatures and be required to adhere to safety protocols

Vermont Business Magazine Washington Central Unified Union School District (WCUUSD) announced today that they have deployed thermal imaging technology in four of the six district facilities to assist them in monitoring the body temperatures of their students, staff and visitors.

“Effective September 8, 2020, any person entering a WCUUSD facility will be required to follow a specific set of protocols before being admitted into our buildings and we are very excited to announce the deployment of new technology that will help us simplify the process of checking temperatures at U-32, Berlin, East Montpelier and Rumney Memorial Elementary Schools,” said Bryan Olkowski, Superintendent of WCUUSD.  

“Standard, no-contact digital thermometers will be used at the two other district elementary schools, Calais and Doty, who both have recently appointed a full-time nurse to assist in providing daily screenings and temperature checks”, added Olkowski.

WCUUSD leadership team prepare for deployment of thermal imaging technology for a September 8 school reopening.

Throughout the summer, District Administrators explored different solutions that would ensure the student and staff experience would be the least invasive as possible in order to follow WCUUSD’s very specific set of protocols before being admitted into the school facilities. 

“The WCUUSD protocols include an online health screening questionnaire and temperature checks upon arrival at all schools. The use of the thermal imaging technology is being deployed at the four largest schools to decrease the time it takes for students and staff to enter the buildings, and eliminate the need for the removal of facial coverings. The technology also decreases the need for students and staff to be in close proximity to one another, which keeps everyone more safe”, explained Amy Molina, Director of Student Affairs at U-32 High School.

Olkowki said, “Our mission was to find solutions for our each of our schools that would allow us to get our students in the door effectively and efficiently as possible especially as the colder months of the year are headed our way. We knew most methods of health screening and temperature checks were time consuming, uncomfortable and/or invasive. We believe this solution will prevent lines out our doors at the larger schools and providing our students and staff with an as near-normal return to school experience as possible.”

The school district also retained the services of a COVID-19 Response Coordinator, Elizabeth Wirth, RN, BSN, NCSN, in order to ensure appropriate collaboration among all of the WCUUSD facilities. Wirth said, “I believe the technology we are deploying will improve the experience and increase efficacy of the screening process, and maybe most importantly provide parents with an additional level of confidence that WCUUSD is doing everything we can to provide our students and staff with a safe educational environment.”

In addition to the thermal imaging at the largest schools in the district, all of the WCUUSD schools have partnered with Base Camp Health to utilize their Ascend health screening platform which provides a reliable and important tool to help give parents and staff guidelines regarding when to come to school and when to stay home due to illness. 

Montpelier-based systems integrator, Vermont Security, LLC, recommended the thermal temperature screening system after learning of their leadership team’s interest in finding the most efficient and accurate solution for checking temperatures. This non-contact solution automates the temperature screening process, significantly reduces human resource costs, improves safety, and enhances the experience for people entering public buildings.

Jesse Harper, president of Vermont Security said, “Our team is so proud to be working with educational institutions, hospitals, doctor’s offices and businesses who are taking a leadership role in deploying a cost-effective emerging technology in response to safety protocols being put in place as a result of this pandemic, but this technology will also help to identify people who may have other viruses by screening for elevated body temperatures. Vermont Security is happy to be playing a part in bringing these technological advancements to our communities so more and more institutions and businesses can provide safer learning and working environments.”   

Steve Dellinger-Pate, principal of U-32 High School, Bryan Olkowski, Superintendent of WCUUSD and COVID-19 Response Coordinator, Elizabeth Wirth, RN, BSN, NCSN are preparing for the deployment of technology and safety protocols for the reopening of Washington Central Unified Union School District schools.

About Washington Central Unified Union School District (WCUUSD):

Washington Central Unified Union School District is a Pre-K to Graduation, public school district supporting over 1500 students from the towns of Berlin, Calais, East Montpelier, Middlesex and Worcester. Our mission is to nurture and inspire in all students, the passion, creativity and power to contribute to their local and global communities. 

About Vermont Security:

Vermont Security, LLC is a systems integrator with a focus on technology-forward solutions. They provide state-of-the-art interactive and scalable commercial security products, including thermal temperature screening systems that are applicable to educational institutions, hospitals, retail and hospitality sectors, as well as nursing homes, day care facilities and tourism venues. Vermont Security pairs their commitment to providing the highest level of technical support, customer service and professional installation with best-in-class manufacturers and suppliers of high-tech security solutions. For more information visit www.VermontSecurity.com. 

Source: E. MONTPELIER, VT (Sept. 2, 2020) – Washington Central Unified Union School District