GADSDEN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DISTRICT 32

Door Contact Sensors & Access Control Completion

Future COPS grant candidate to improve door-open visibility, reduce physical-key blind spots, and complete remaining exterior doors without electric strikes or access-control locks.

CURRENT STATUS

Future / Planned Only — Pending COPS Grant Approval

This project is planned and grant-dependent. It depends on approval of the COPS grant and is not currently funded, approved, or completed.

StatusFuture / planned only.
FundingCOPS grant candidate; approval not guaranteed.
Primary GoalMore visibility into exterior door openings across school sites.
SECURITY GAP

Why the Project Is Needed

The access-control foundation is in place, but the district still has door visibility gaps caused by budget constraints, physical-key use, and doors without electronic access-control hardware.

Physical-Key Blind Spot

Key Use Is Not Always Visible

When someone uses a physical key to open a door with access control, the district may not currently have a way to know that it happened.

  • Creates an accountability gap
  • Limits after-hours visibility
  • Reduces access-control audit value when key bypass occurs
Exterior Door Coverage Gap

Not Every Exterior Door Has Access Control

Due to budget restrictions, not all exterior doors have electric strikes or access-control locks.

  • Remaining exterior doors need a monitoring path
  • Door sensors provide a lower-cost visibility layer
  • Future access-control completion remains part of the plan
Door-Open Awareness

Know When Doors Are Opened

Door contact sensors would help the district track when doors open during any given time period.

  • Supports after-hours monitoring
  • Improves incident review
  • Strengthens school safety visibility
PLANNED SOLUTION

Verkada Q-Series QC11-W Door/Window Sensors

Verkada identifies the QC11-W as a wireless door/window sensor in its Q Series intrusion sensor line. For this plan, the QC11-W is the proposed sensor path for improving door-open visibility if the COPS grant is approved.

Project Area
Verified Verkada Information / Planned Scope
Board-Safe Status
Sensor model
QC11-W Wireless Door/Window Sensor from Verkada's Q Series intrusion sensor line.
Planned model; final procurement depends on approval.
Power
2x Energizer Ultimate Lithium L91 AA batteries included; Verkada lists 5 years of battery life with typical use.
Useful for doors without existing access-control wiring.
Wireless communication
VLink sub-GHz transceiver; compatible with new Alarms VLink hubs and not compatible with classic Alarms VLink hubs.
Hub compatibility must be verified before final design.
Wireless range
Open field line-of-sight range listed by Verkada: 2000 ft / 600 m; indoor range depends on environment.
Site survey still required; do not assume full range indoors.
Door gap support
Non-metal doors up to 2.4 in / 6.0 cm; metal doors up to 1.5 in / 3.7 cm; included magnet spacer can help close gaps.
Door conditions must be field-verified.
Sensor technology
Dual-tech TMR and Hall effect sensors, with tamper detection listed as yes.
Supports door-open visibility and tamper awareness.
VERIFIED SOURCE DETAILS

Vendor Comparison Page Findings

Information below was taken from Verkada's alarms/sensors comparison page for the QC11-W Wireless Door/Window Sensor.

Q Series

Why Q Series Fits the Plan

Verkada describes Q Series wireless sensors as next-generation sensors with improved wireless range, easier installation, and dual detection technology.

Remote Operations

Operational Visibility

Verkada lists remote sensor activity review, video context for troubleshooting, remote reconfiguration/re-pairing/muting, and sensor health alerts.

Health Alerts

Maintenance Awareness

Verkada states alerts can be sent by SMS or email when a sensor is disconnected, tampered, or low on battery.

Source reviewed: Verkada Intrusion Sensors comparison page. Vendor claims should be validated through final design, quote, and procurement review.

BOARD IMPACT

More Security for Schools

This project strengthens the district’s security posture by improving door visibility without overstating what sensors alone can do.

Access visibilityHelps the district know when doors are opened, including doors that do not currently have electronic access-control locks.
AccountabilitySupports review of physical-key use and door-open activity during any given time period.
Security modernizationComplements existing access control and supports future completion of remaining exterior doors.
Grant disciplineMust be presented as future/planned only until COPS grant approval is confirmed.