Security Update: Additional Office Doors Being Locked & Keycard Systems Being Installed

You should have received an email on March 1 about steps being taken to increase security at our offices. A portion of that email is included here. If you haven’t yet read the email, please take a moment to do so. 

In response to ever-growing concerns in our country about safety and security, the Agency is taking steps to increase security in our offices to improve safety for our staff and visitors. 

Secondary Doors to be Locked 
Beginning March 15, the secondary doors (those other than the main entrance) at most agency offices will be locked at all times. This includes the Johnston Regional Education Center (REC) and Administration Center and the Adel, Ames, Guthrie Center, Indianola and Knoxville offices. Staff members in the REC, Administration Center and Adel and Ames offices will be able to enter secondary doors using their keycards. 

Keycard Access Added at Adel & Ames 
During the week of February 18, keycard entry systems were installed in our Adel and Ames offices. Adel and Ames staff members: by March 11 you will receive a personal keycard at your office via van mail that will grant you access to your office using the new keycard system. We are able to incorporate the keycards into the Agency’s ID badges, so you will receive one card that will serve as your ID badge and keycard. Please note that each staff member will receive one ID badge/keycard. Hard keys to the Adel and Ames offices will still work until March 14. On that date the locks to those offices will be changed, and staff members will only be able to enter the office during non-business hours using a keycard. 

Administration Center Staff 
When the Administration Center was remodeled and initially opened for business, staff members working there were issued a keycard for the building that was separate from their ID badge. Keycards and badges are now combined into one card. If there are Administration Center staff members who still have a separate ID badge and keycard, please visit Aaron Cook in the Johnston REC to get a new combined badge/keycard. 

Johnston REC Staff 
REC staff members: if you received a new ID badge in the last year and a half, you should have received a combined ID badge/keycard. If there are REC staff members who haven’t gotten a new ID badge in that time, you should visit Aaron Cook to receive a new combined ID badge/keycard. You should also no longer have any regular hard keys to the REC building. If you still have hard keys, please drop them off to Colleen Miller in the REC. If you have any questions about this message or security in general, contact Dustin Gean. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work to improve the security of our offices for the safety of our staff and visitors.