As the first quarter wound down, a new system was introduced for intercom announcements, and it’s already sparking both controversy and curiosity. This new system features a male voice that sounds like a pre-recorded message.
This voice is heard most often between classes as it reminds students when there is one minute remaining before the tardy bell rings, but it is also used during emergencies and drills such as fire drills and lockdowns. When everything is clear, students hear the voice again.
Students have had some opinions about this intercom system as soon as they heard it, most of whom don’t really like it.
Dr. Rogers got this idea “…from another high school [and she] thought it would be beneficial for us to implement.” This system came from a different school and is a brand new idea for Central since most of us are used to hearing faculty voices over the intercom. Although it hasn’t been implemented for everything, like special announcements and the pledge, it is a common voice that is heard every day.
When many people first heard the voice, they almost instantly assumed it was AI or a pre- recorded message. Most people want to know what the voice was, like whether it was a teacher or just AI. One student named Madi thought it was “…AI or [a] voice changing device.” Mr.Parsons, “…assumed it was a local pre-recorded message.”
Some people didn’t like hearing the voice and didn’t like how it sounded. The voice says “Students, this is your one-minute warning” at least four times a day, and many students think the tone implies something terrible will happen if the students don’t make it to class before the bell rings. The voice also says “Everything is clear” or something like
One student, Annecia, says the voice is “…very creepy and annoying.” It is an annoyance to lots of students and can also make them uncomfortable during emergencies and drills.
Students have many different opinions about this AI voice; some are stronger than others. Band member, Glaekan Elkins, says, “…the voice is painfully dull and removes a personal aspect of the school. It feels like a literal prison.” Other students agree that this voice sounds like we’re being escorted through the hallways of a jail or prison. The voice makes people uncomfortable as they rush to their classes so they’re not late–which might’ve been the goal all along. Some say the automated voice could be beneficial for students, helping them manage their time better.
Dr.Rogers says this intercom system was “…a new district safety initiative.” The district created new laws and strategies to hopefully make schools safer and to help students a lot more. Although all students don’t agree with the intercom system, it is a useful tool for everyone’s time management, and hopefully prevents students from being late, or at least decreases the amount of tardies.
