School officials are hoping a new fence will help make the area’s largest high school safer.

“First of all, if you drive by and see it, it does give it that feel of an academy,” Hattiesburg Public Schools Superintendent Annie Wimbish said. “It looks like it promotes learning. No. 2, it’s a safety issue.”

According to an article on www.hattiesburgamerican.com, Wimbish said the sprawling and unsecured campus at Hattiesburg High School was far too accessible.

An access card will be required to enter or leave the teacher parking lots. A guard will be monitoring the student parking lots during school hours, with an access code required to get in at other times.

“We projected that the fence would be up by the time kids got back from winter break,” said Willie Burton, district building and grounds director. “The fence is up, and the gates are up.”

The guardhouse and a motorized gate for the teachers’ parking lot have yet to be installed.