GUILFORD COUNTY, N.C. — The Guilford County Board of Education voted to formally request the multi-million dollar transfer from the Guilford County Board of Commissioners for safety and security measures throughout the district.
The $10 million dollar bond request was previously budgeted for by the commissioners.
"I'm not sure how far along we are yet in security measures with public schools," said Sassha Egan. Her oldest is in preschool. "I'm thinking about sending my children to private schools because of that."
On June 14, 2018 the Board of County Commissioners approved a $10 million two-thirds bond for security improvements in Guilford County Schools. At Tuesday’s meeting, the formal recommendation was be presented.
The following security improvements will be implemented in Guilford County Schools:
- Access control: Reduce the number of open exterior doors to as few as possible.
- Electronic Surveillance: Upgrade existing standalone analog surveillance systems. Currently, there are about 60 elementary schools that don’t have surveillance cameras according to GCS.
- Communications Systems: Staff is exploring a plan to contract with a radio vendor for a turnkey radio system that would help communication during incidents or emergencies. The radios would also give schools the capability of talking to law enforcement agencies through a common operating channel.
- Fire Alarm and Intrusion Detection: Upgrade current fire life safety and intrusion detection systems. Provide enhanced coverage and monitoring to ensure appropriate personnel, agencies and resources are being notified during a fire or intrusion across the district
- Student ID Badges Photo and Card Print: Stations will significantly improve the time needed to print a badge onsite for a new student or lost ID badges for current students. Student ID badges were introduced during the 2018-19 school year and the district says they are important for student safety in identifying everyone on school campuses.
"This will improve safety in the district, but to go through and make the facilities as safe as possible will take renovation of some of the schools.. of most of the schools," said Superintendent Dr. Sharon Contreras.
"For security for our children, they are our future. There is no price," said Egan.
