New Amarillo preschool enhances safety with new technology

AMARILLO, Texas (KFDA) - The new Children's Orchard Academy in Amarillo is using facial recognition technology to advance their safety protocol.

The building will have two set of doors in order to get in. The first set of doors to enter the building requires a pin, using a key pad.

Parents and guardians will then go through a facial recognition scan in order to pick up their children. iPads have been installed in the walls next to the doors.

"There will be a facial recognition which is the very first we've never done facial recognition, so we are really excited for it," said Superintendent Brittany Barela. "It's new technology especially in this industry where you will be registered and it will recognize your face. Pull up your children and you will be able to check them in and out and that will unlock the second set of doors."

According to the staff, cameras have been installed in the classrooms and parents are allowed to keep an eye on their children with a specific app designated to the school.

"The very first things I realized very quickly is that we needed to up our game just a little bit here in the area," said Principal Debbie Vest. "There is a lot of childcares facilities but the programs, I don't want to say they were lacking, but the children deserve more."

The Children's Orchard Academy board says their mission is to train the next generation of leaders and they need to make sure they are doing it in a safe environment.