School districts across the nation are moving quickly to integrate security measures in buildings, putting other projects on hold.
The USD 257 facilities planning committee had been making headway on devising a new school campus. Members recently toured schools in Chanute and Garnett to form a better idea on what would best fit Iola.
In December, committee member Lisa Wicoff advised the school board to bring in a bonding firm for consultation and begin the interview process for an architect.
The board agreed, and on Jan. 28 Piper Jaffray of Kansas City, Kan., will present a plan.
Whatever its findings, they will be put on a back burner, said Brian Pekarek, USD 257 superintendent of schools.
The momentum for a new facility “has been postponed, but not canceled,” he said, due to the higher priority of school safety.
“The world isn’t the same as it was a month ago and our students need to be safe now. I can’t get a new school tomorrow, but I can get more security for our kids and staff.”
The projects the school district is taking on to heighten security are:
— Buzz-in systems with cameras and voice service.
— Keeping all doors locked.
— Creating a new main door the middle school that will lead into the main office, also with a buzz-in system.
— For Crossroads only, a buzz-in system with a small camera and voice recall.
— Looking into panic buttons at all school buildings and board office.
Bids are coming in from nearby cities such as Pittsburg, but some are even local.
“When I was talking to CDL Electric Company is Pittsburg they said they saw an influx in security needs in the past after Columbine and Virginia Tech, but nothing like after Sandy Hook,” Pekarek said.
School facilities plan ‘postponed’
