Beecher School District Bolsters Security with Lighting and Keyless Entry Systems

Beecher Board of Education Meeting | March 11, 2026

Article Summary: The Beecher Board of Education received a comprehensive update on district-wide security enhancements, highlighting the ongoing installation of fob-based entry systems, new LED exterior lighting, and the successful integration of a new School Resource Officer.

Security Upgrades Key Points:

• The district is transitioning from traditional keypad entry systems to keyless fob and QR code access for enhanced security and cost efficiency.

• Exterior lighting at the schools has been upgraded to bright LEDs, covering the west, south, and teacher parking lots.

• Superintendent Dr. Jack Gaham praised the highly adaptable performance of the district’s new School Resource Officer, Jim Hancock.

BEECHER, Ill. — The Beecher School District 200U Board of Education on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, reviewed a series of ongoing facility security upgrades designed to modernize access control and improve nighttime visibility across the district’s campuses.

During his staff report, Superintendent Dr. Jack Gaham outlined several internal technology projects that are modernizing how staff and visitors enter the buildings. According to Gaham, the district is transitioning away from “old school keypads” and installing fob-based entry points. The upgrades are being handled internally by the district’s technology staff, which Gaham noted is being completed at a fraction of the cost of hiring an outside contractor to overhaul the system.

The new fob system is already live at the Beecher Elementary School’s main office, the special education office, and the first and second-grade entrance doors. The system allows for personalized access, with Gaham noting that the scanner greets users by name upon entry. The district aims to have the keyless fob system installed across all three buildings by the end of spring break.

Beyond staff fobs, the new system introduces enhanced security features for visitors and vendors.

“When people need to come in now… we can provide them a QR code that is valid for a finite amount of time, and then it becomes deactivated,” Gaham told the board. “Also, instead of losing [a master key]… if I lose one of these[fobs], Joe can deactivate it immediately and it’s no longer valid.”

The exterior of the buildings has also received a significant security facelift. Gaham reported that all external lights have been upgraded to LEDs, illuminating the west lot, south lot, and the teachers’ lot behind the building. The new lighting is so powerful that maintenance staff had to install a barrier over a security camera to prevent the brightness from creating blind spots on the video feed.

In addition to physical and technological upgrades, Gaham took time to formally commend the district’s new School Resource Officer (SRO), Jim Hancock, for his integration into the district over the current school year. Originally, the district intentionally limited his immediate immersion into the classrooms to allow Hancock to learn the district’s expectations. However, his flexibility and willingness to assist across all grade levels have impressed administrators.

“There hasn’t been anything that I’ve asked him to do that he’s ever said no to,” Gaham said. “He has been in driver’s ed for us. He has been a little bit [at the] high school… Whatever the principals say, ‘Can you be over here for lunch?’ He’s over there for lunch.”

Gaham stated he looks forward to expanding Hancock’s role further into the elementary school classrooms next year.