With the upcoming implementation of the Raptor Visitor Management System at Lapeer Community Schools, questions have been raised regarding the Raptor system.
See previous LCS communications regarding Raptor HERE and HERE.
Here are the most recent questions we have been asked with answers from LCS administration:
Q: If Raptor goes down, will I still be able to visit the school?
A: Yes, we will be able to sign individuals in and match identifications that are listed in our student information system.
Q: What if I don’t want my picture taken?
A: Unfortunately, this is not an option at this time. We are working with Raptor to identify safety measures that can be implemented to ensure that the safety of individuals' data and facial recognition is kept secure. The picture populates the visitor badge and provides staff with an awareness of who is in the building by listing a name and picture for clear identification.
Q: Is there a “fast pass” for those who have approved volunteer applications on file?
A: We are currently working on this, however, a pass like this will only be able to be used to access the Raptor system and not be used to gain physical exterior access to the building.
Q: Where did the money come from to fund the purchase of Raptor and how much was it?
A: Our district general fund dollars, due to the nature of the recurring cost. The initial cost for the system was $14,675. Recurring costs to the district are $9,510 per year.
Q: Can my data be purged?
A: Yes, data can be purged by sending a request to operations@lapeerschools.org. This does not affect a person’s ability to use the system the next time on the next visit.
Q: Are there alternatives to going through the Raptor system in order to visit the school?
A: Once we implement the system at the building, this will be the only way to access the building as a visitor.
Q: Why are the kiosks not in the vestibule? Why are they located in the office?
A: Separate kiosks in the vestibules are additional costs, therefore we will be using devices located in the main office that are more cost-effective.
Q: We feel like this is rushed and have not had time for proper input. What can we do?
A: LCS communicated with families on several occasions, including an additional community discussion on Dec. 11, 2024. If you have any further questions, please direct them to operations@lapeerschools.org.
Q: Is Raptor selling this data and the facial biometrics to any third-party companies?
A: No, Raptor does not sell or store facial biometric information.
Q: Will any of our building maps or safety plan information be uploaded to the Raptor system?
A: No, we do not use their emergency management systems.
Q: What if my student(s) has/have different appointments in different buildings where I would be considered a visitor? Do I need to sign in and out at all of those?
A: Yes, you would need to sign in and out of each building.
Q: What is the schedule for the roll-out change to implementation?
A: March 3, 2025 - LHS, CFI, Zemmer, Rolland-Warner
May 5, 2025 - Turrill, Murphy, Schickler, Lynch
Start of 2025-26 school year - Lapeer Virtual Partnership
Q: What if I have the same name as someone on the sex offender registry or District No-Fly list?
A: These are times where district and building administration can assist in ensuring that the correct people are entering the building as permitted. If you have someone with the same name, you can still enter the building as a visitor provided your identity has been verified as separate from the individual indicated.
Q: If an individual were to have something like an active warrant, even if it were a bench warrant, child support, etc., would this system be alerting police for interception?
A: No. It does not actively check against police systems to identify warrants.
Q: Could we train armed individuals to protect our school spaces? We could engage with individuals who are licensed to carry, veterans, retired or active police looking to volunteer their time.
A: We have actually researched this solution with private companies who provide a range of security services and are willing to explore alternatives including the use of volunteers, to ensure our buildings have the best possible security personnel. More to come on this suggestion.
Q: Is Raptor SOC-II Type2 certified as an organization?
A: Yes, the company is in SOC-II Type 2 compliance, with regular audits. More company and personal privacy information can be found here: https://apps.raptortech.com/About/Privacy.