The ACLUM submitted a public records request for information on facial recognition technology used at Andover Public Schools in October, almost a year after the technology was implemented in the district.
The school district piloted Visitor Aware in spring 2024 before rolling it out that fall for the start of the 2024-2025 school year.
Visitor Aware is Singlewire Software’s visitor and student management system. It provides tools to screen and verify guests and volunteers instantly, account for people during a crisis and assist with reunification after critical incidents, according to its website.
A group of citizens, spearheaded by activist Tom Valovic, is working with the UCLAM to address concerns about using facial recognition in the public school system now and in the future.
Valovic said he was acting on behalf of a parent who volunteers at one of the Andover elementary schools, was asked to use the facial recognition system and refused. He said the goal is to see if the school district is abiding by state and ACLU guidelines on the issue.
Andover Public Schools Director of Communications Nicole Kieser confirmed the public records request. The facial recognition technology is primarily used for visitors to the school buildings and the information isn’t shared outside the district, she said.
The information is used to allow repeat or recurring visitors, like volunteers, to enter more efficiently on subsequent visits using an initial photo taken. Visitors are able to request their data be removed once their time in the school that day is completed. Individuals also have the option to opt out of having their photos stored, Kieser said.
“Our students and staff deserve a safe school environment, and the utilization of available resources and technology supports a secure community,” she said. “These resources include security around our physical environment as well as our student and family data.”
The school district’s response to the ACLUM is a 1,017-page document filled with references to the technology, including when it was being implemented at the schools and email chains dealing with parent concerns when volunteering.
It is unclear how many different parents called or emailed school officials, but the document highlights at least one concerned parent from Bancroft Elementary School who didn't consent to having their picture taken to volunteer.
In a back and forth email chain between an inquiring parent and Karla Kohl, a solutions architect for the town and school district, the parent’s concerns and the school’s response were exchanged.
Kohl wrote that all adult individuals entering a school building during the school day were required to complete a check-in process and how the security feature is part of the district’s core safety procedures for all staff and visitors.
The check-in process includes a background check and then the person being given a visible, photo identification badge to wear while at the school.
“This protocol ensures the safety of all students and staff and allows us to maintain accurate attendance records in case of an emergency,” Kohl wrote.
“While we understand and respect your position, the policy requires that a photo be taken at check-in and displayed on the visitor badge during your time in the building. This is a district-wide safety standard, and our IT (information technology) systems are designed to follow this process. As with other visitors, we can disable facial recognition and delete the photo from the system after your visit.”
The parent asked for a way to opt out so their biometrics would not be inputted into an artificial intelligence algorithm system, in one email.
“You are asking school parents to provide their highly personal data, their photo and you are in charge of maintaining this data. I am not comfortable with that,” reads a follow-up Oct. 23, 2025, email from a parent.
In the district’s responsive documents, Assistant Superintendent Keith Taverna said the district had the ability to manually input someone’s information into the system if they refuse to have their picture taken. The district can also offer to remove the photo after the visit. If those options do not work for an individual, their entry into the building would be denied, Taverna said.
Before implementing Visitor Aware, emails show solutions for school officials on how to handle any pushback from parents on the software system and their personal data being stored. In July 2024, those solutions included informing parents the information was stored securely, used for security purposes only and would be deleted annually. It also offered a solution to delete their data in real time if there was more pushback.
Those with an Andover Public Schools badge from another school or a town-issued badge can enter without registering, but badges need to be visible at all times.
Kieser said the district hasn’t heard too many concerns from the community regarding the technology’s use. But she added safety, including technology to support student and staff safety, will be an agenda item on an upcoming School Committee meeting this month.
© 2026 The Salem News (Beverly, Mass.). Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
