Missing master keys at East High School spark parents' concern

DENVER (KDVR) — A problem is brewing at East High School in Denver, where several master keys are missing for interior doors. Replacing them could cost the school hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Parents fear the missing keys will fall into the wrong hands. Staff members were alerted in a letter from the East High School principal that the keys were missing.

East High School Principal Terita Walker told staff the school's new foreclosure could cost $1 million.

It is unclear how many keys are missing. Several teachers and parents contacted FOX31 to say they were concerned about student safety.

“With the horrific shootings at East, in which a student was killed and a shooting inside the school, every parent is concerned about the safety of our children at East High School,” said parent Dr. Harvey Bograd.

The missing keys sparked further concerns.

“The fear is great. Concern and frustration that these things seem to be happening,” Bograd said.

The Parent Safety Advocacy Group questioned where the keys might have gone.

“How difficult is it to keep track of master keys to keep our children safe? » asked the group on Tuesday. “What are administrators failing to handle well?”

DPS said exterior doors use electronic cards, not traditional keys, and are not affected by missing keys.

“We understand this (concern) and we know this is potentially a serious problem that we are trying to resolve. But at the same time, please know that these keys will not allow anyone to enter through a back door,” said DPS spokesperson Scott Pribble. “This is not something that is unique to East High School. This is a problem that is occurring in many schools in DPS, Colorado, and across the country.

Walker sent a letter to staff late last year that said in part: “If we are unable to recover more master keys, we will be forced to remaster the building. It will cost almost a million dollars.

On Tuesday, DPS said the new estimated cost to change the key to the building would be $300,000. About a dozen keys have been returned so far, and it's unclear if or when East High will decide to completely redo all of its interior doors.

FOX31 requested a response from the director but did not hear back from her Tuesday.