Safety Meeting With Senator Bryan Taylor

On Tuesday of this week, I traveled to the State House to meet with Senator Bryan Taylor and other local superintendents regarding the status and needs of our schools pertinent to safety.  Senator Taylor was gracious to solicit our chief concerns and offer some resolve.  Here is my input based on what I feel are our most immediate needs.

1. Door and/or Door Lock Repair:  We have hired a door specialist to survey all of our campuses and determine our needs.  All doors need be ADA compliant and lock from the inside.  One control key is needed in the system and each school should have one master key that fits all locks.  Change keys (room keys) should be for a sole door and should be changed as teacher location changes.
2. Bells and Intercom Repair:  We are soliciting prices for both bell and intercom installation.  A new system is preferred.
3. Surveillance System:  Cameras should be added in key areas to cover the entire campus.
4. Fencing:  Some fencing (HHS and New Bethel Road) needs repair and height increase.

Other items discussed were: the addition of a School Resource Officer on every campus, preventative services/measures taken for students who demonstrate inappropriate behavior, placement and use of nonlethal devices, and arming personnel.

The conversation was needed and allowed us to understand that our safety issues are similar in nature as are our concerns.

Please know that we are hosting a "Safety Summit" on February 7 and have invited county first responders and other emergency representatives.  

Roundtable Safety Discussion Held at the Alabama State House