As the school bell rings once again throughout Guthrie County on Thursday, students will be encountering a new set of classes, teachers, and even some classmates. For Panorama students in particular, they will encounter a whole new look when they enter the building. The two major changes at Panorama are the security system and the atrium.

The new security system, which was installed earlier this year, will feature a buzz-in system and camera at the front entrance. The administrative assistants in the building will be responsible for granting access. Superintendent Shawn Holloway talks about what would happen if the decision to grant access is unclear. “If it’s someone they aren’t expecting or don’t know or something seems to be not quite right, then one of the administrators then can actually go outside and visit with that person before they grant them access. So that’s kind of the procedure there.”

This entrance system doesn’t just apply to parents and other visitors, but to the students as well. Holloway explains why that is the case. “A lot of our kids will take classes at DMACC (Des Moines Area Community College) and so they might come in late during the school day. Same way for the kids. They will be able to gain access by our ‘buzz-in’.”

Adair-Casey/Guthrie Center and West Central Valley also have similar entrance systems. The other new aspect Panorama students will see when they walk in the door is the new library and learning center in the school’s atrium. Holloway says all the furniture and technology should be in place by Thursday.