Aspen School District's school safety team has seen all kinds of items used to prop open school doors.

Rocks. Mulch. Chairs. Balls.

People get creative, they say.

But propping school doors open is not safe. ASD launched a “Stop the Prop” school safety campaign in the 2023-2024 school year.

ASD's School Safety & Security Co-Directors Joe Waneka and Becky Oliver work with the ASD School Resource Officers and a Safety Committee that includes local law enforcement and first responders, to ensure the students, staff and campus buildings are safe and secure. 

But all the new doors and keys don’t mean a thing when doors are left open – on purpose.

The ‘Stop the Prop’ campaign is a proactive and another layer in promoting and maintaining a secure and safe school environment, Waneka said. The campaign enhances the learning environment by mitigating safety risks and preventing unauthorized access ensuring only authorized individuals enter the facilities fostering a positive safety culture.

ASD has put decals on the outside doors and safety committee members talk with students and staff when they can about properly closing all doors. ‘Stop the Prop’ refers to the practice of preventing doors, especially exterior doors, from being propped open or held ajar.

This is an important safety and security measure to control access to a building, particularly in school settings. Propping doors open can compromise the security of the facility, as it allows unauthorized individuals to enter freely.

The key is to strike a balance between security and convenience while considering the specific security needs and monitoring capabilities of the school district.

During the start and end of the school day, when students are entering and leaving en masse, the ‘Stop the Prop’ campaign can be enforced by having designated school team members monitor and control the entry and exit points. These staff members can ensure doors remain closed and locked when not actively in use, especially after most students have entered or exited the building.

‘Stop the Prop’ is a vital part of the district's safety program, enhancing our layered approach to prioritizing student and staff safety. The significance of ‘Stop the Prop’ lies in its role as a foundational layer within this comprehensive safety framework. 

Together with other strategies, it demonstrates our unwavering commitment to making safety our top priority, ensuring that all safety elements work together seamlessly to protect our school community.

• If someone sees a propped open door, the best practice is typically to close the door immediately. 

• If there are concerns about unauthorized access or if this is part of a broader security concern, individuals should report propped doors to school staff, administrators, or school resource officers. 
• These authorities can investigate the situation, determine if it is a security concern, and take appropriate action.