As a new school year gets underway across Murray City School District (MCSD), families visiting elementary, junior high, and high school campuses will notice a standardized, reinforced safety process.

Aligning with updated state laws and safety regulations—specifically Utah Code § 53G-8-806 and Utah Administrative Code R698-13-4—MCSD has standardized visitor management procedures across all district schools.

The Big Picture: Why the Changes?

Utah’s school safety standards mandate that every school maintain a defined “managed point of entry” during school hours. Under state rule R698-13-4, exterior doors are kept locked, requiring all guests to enter exclusively through the main designated entrance.

Utah Code § 53G-8-806 further standardizes how schools verify identities and monitor guests while in the building, and restrict unauthorized access to student areas.

For parents, this means front office staff will be following a uniform, multi-step checklist for every visitor, every time—no exceptions.

What’s New This Year: The Step-by-Step Check-In Process

When visiting your child’s school during regular hours, please plan a few extra minutes for the check-in procedure. Front office staff will guide you through the following steps:

1. Controlled Entry Points Only: All visitors must enter through the designated front entrance.
2. Mandatory ID Verification: When requesting access to go beyond the designated front entrance, all visitors must present a valid government-issued photo ID (such as a driver’s license, U.S. passport/passport card, military ID, or tribal ID).  A picture will not meet the criteria.  Utah’s ‘Get Driver’s License Division App ID’ will be accepted.
3. Comprehensive Sign-In: If requesting entry into the building, you will be asked to log your full legal name, the exact date and time of arrival, the purpose of your visit, and your specific destination or the staff member you are visiting.
4. Visitor Badges: Guests are issued a badge. This badge must be worn visibly on your outer clothing for the entire duration of your visit.
5. Check-Out Required: Before leaving campus, visitors must return to the front office to log out and turn in their badge.

What Happens If You Forget Your ID?

Under state guidelines, office staff cannot grant access past the front desk without verified identification.  Every visitor, every time—no exceptions.

How Parents Can Help Keep Schools Safe

School staff is trained to look out for anyone in the building without a visible visitor badge. If an unbadged individual is spotted inside a school, staff members will direct or escort them back to the front office immediately. Refusal to check in or wear a badge may result in removal from campus under Utah criminal trespass laws (Utah Code § 76-6-206).

A Message for MCSD Families

Murray City School District deeply values parent involvement, classroom volunteering, and family engagement. These enhanced guidelines are designed to ensure that while our doors remain open to our community, our classrooms remain secure for every child and staff member.

Pro-Tip for Parents: Keep a valid driver’s license or state ID handy whenever you plan to visit your student’s school, and build in an extra two minutes for check-in!

Have questions about school visitor policies? Contact your school's main office or district administration for more information.