School security concerns

by Olivia Ervin

School safety was an important topic for discussion at the Staunton CUSD #6 Board of Education meeting held on Monday, July 18. Concerns for the school's security system were raised in a recent crisis management plan meeting. The current camera system is in definite need of updates, as it is a hodgepodge of poorly connected and decentralized equipment.

Superintendent Brett Allen said, "This is very concerning especially given the current school safety climate." He also stated that there is little to no security in place for the back of the campus.

Under the previous administration the board had approved approximately $27,000 for the installation of eight security cameras, but the board suggested Allen come to the next meeting with a new round of bids for the purchase and installation of new security equipment.

Clayton Green, Dori Rhodes, and Stefanie Legendre raised other concerns about security, with Green saying cameras are one thing, but safety procedures are necessary. He suggested looking into alarms for open doors. Legendre mentioned the school district she teaches at has installed emergency locks on classroom doors.

After the approval of bills, payroll, treasurer's report, and the June 20, June 29, and July 7, 2022, meeting minutes, the board moved on to administrator reports.

In his report, Superintendent Allen gave the board the disappointing news that the electrical switchgear replacement project would not be happening as planned due to supply chain issues. The district will still be purchasing parts for the project and storing them on school grounds in case there is a need for emergency repairs. It is possible that the project will be completed over winter break, but the more likely plan will have the project completed in June 2023.

The district has been paying a lease on Bus #10 since 2019 using funds from a pre-K grant. The final lease payment is due soon and must be paid for out of another account. After that time the district will own the vehicle.

The board discussed the possibility of attending board of education professional development conventions and in-services. As the cost for these events average around $500 per attendee, it was asked that all interested members commit to attending or not attending by Aug. 1.

In new business, the board approved chairs, a non-functional 4-wheeler, a non-functional golf cart, a leaf vacuum, and pre-K playground equipment as surplus. Allen was asked to consider donating the playground equipment to a child care facility; everything else could be scrapped.

The board went into closed session at 7:34 p.m. Following closed session, the board accepted resignations for two paraprofessional positions. Additionally, the board took action and hired Troy Redfern as the head golf coach, Mike Brown as an assistant football coach, John Kolesar as the co-sponsor of the jr. high student council, and Rachel Armbruster as the jr. high cheer coach.

The Collective Bargaining Agreement with the custodial council was also approved for the 2022-2023 school year. The following groups of educational support staff also received a 3.5 percent increase in their hourly rates: cafeteria staff, nursing staff, and the technology assistant.

Finally, the board completed their semi-annual review of unreleased closed meeting minutes and it was determined that due to confidentiality issues, no closed minutes that were under review are being released for public inspection.

The Staunton CUSD #6 Board of Education met in regular session at 7 p.m. in the unit library on Monday, July 18. Those present at the meeting were Superintendent Brett Allen, High School Principal Carrie Griffith, Junior High Administrator Ryan Pirok, Elementary Principal Rachel Davis, Educational Services Administrator Michael Kelly; and school board members Dr. Poonam Jain, Dori Rhodes, Stefanie Legendre, Clayton Green, David Lamore, and Brad Best. John Renner was absent.