Post date: Jan 22, 2014 2:20:30 AM
In September 2013, Bartlesville voters approved a $36.72 million bond issue. As part of the bond issue, approximately $1.4 million was devoted to safety and security upgrades throughout the Bartlesville Public School District. Various upgrades are now underway.
Recently, the district’s two School Resource Officers received iPads to allow them to monitor cameras throughout the district remotely. This will enable the officers to have access to school cameras regardless of their current location and increase their ability to monitor school buildings.
Over the past few months, all BPSD buses have been equipped with upgraded radios which include a GPS. The GPS installation allows the transportation department to monitor the location of buses at all times.
The district is currently in process of upgrading classroom locks throughout the district to interior locks. The upgrade will allow teachers to lock their classrooms from inside the classroom, and not require teachers to move into the hallway to lock their classroom door. In the event of a school lockdown, this upgrade will be extremely useful.
Intercom systems at school sites throughout the district will be updated to create instant communication to all areas of the buildings. The upgrades will help ensure important messages can be delivered quickly at school sites. The installation
is expected to be underway within the next few months.
Additionally, new camera systems will be added to buildings districtwide. The new systems will be integrated with the existing camera systems and greatly increase the number of cameras throughout the district. This project is currently in the planning stages; however, it is expected to be underway in the near future.
The district also plans to add panic buttons at school sites. The buttons will be used in the event of an emergency and connect immediately to emergency agencies. In the event of an emergency, the button will improve response times by emergency agencies.
District Safe Schools Coordinator Kerry Ickleberry said, “Our district views safety as a top priority for our students and staff. We strongly believe that our students have to feel safe in order to learn. Our district safety team collaborates with local emergency
experts and our Oklahoma Homeland Security experts. We constantly evaluate security enhancements in order to provide the most effective layers of protection for our students and staff. We are very thankful to our community for passing our bond issue. We will continue to practice our safety drills and create a climate of care where students and staff respect and value one and other.”