Ferndale Elementary Schools May Get Expedited Security Upgrades
In response to Connecticut school shooting, Ferndale school officials may accelerate implementation of planned buzzer systems.
Ferndale Public Schools elementary schools may get upgraded security features sooner than previously planned as school officials continue discussions in response to the tragic school shooting in Newtown, Conn.
Ferndale Schools Superintendent Gary Meier said Monday that certain security updates are already planned district-wide as part of the $22.8 million school bond passed in February.
This includes implementing an electronic latch/buzzer system at all schools in which all entrances would be locked during school hours and a staff member would screen and buzz in visitors, he said.
Those upgrades were planned during the bond planning process to "ensure the highest level of security possible," Meier said.
The updates weren't scheduled to take place until about 2014, but in light of the tragic events in Newtown, Conn., Meier said the district is looking to move the security plans forward now, at least at the elementary school level.
"That's a conversation that we're beginning to have," he said.
Details of how the system would work in each school are not yet available and a timeline has not been set. Meier said at Monday's school board meeting that he believes it can be done "relatively soon."
Meier wrote a letter to parents on Friday in response to the shooting and said he met with Ferndale Police Chief Tim Collins on Monday to review school security. Meier also said the district has extensive emergency plans and procedures, which are continually reviewed.
Janet Lawless
9:32 am on Tuesday, December 18, 2012
i really think that all schools should be implementing programs to discern, assist, and provide intervention to students and families, and teachers whose kids seem troubled. address the real causes of these tragedies. I think it will really be hard to set up foolproof entry and exit measures in builiding that are used by the community and kids.
Ferndale_1986
10:11 am on Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Agreed on your approach. I doubt an electronic latch system will make any difference.
Kathleen LaTosch
6:11 pm on Thursday, December 20, 2012
I don't know the full range of security features included in the plan, but I must say that speeding up the buzzer installation seems a bit contrary to what we learned from Sandy Hook. They had a buzzer. I would rather see resources be spent on helping staff be prepared if someone did gain unauthorized access to a Ferndale School with ill intent. How can the teachers protect themselves and students, while working to end the conflict? Can they shut and lock doors? Or close off hallways? Do the rooms have a panic room type area that would at least buy some time? Can they install an alarm that anyone could trip to alert all staff (and police) that it's "lock-down" mode due to potential violent encounter? Sitting in the hall this week doing book-in-a-bag with the first graders definitely had me thinking about the building structure, potential barricades for intruders and what I would do if something happened while I was there. Food for thought.
Kathleen LaTosch