Schools

Lakeland School District Proposes $14.5 Million Bond for Safety, Security of Buildings

Lakeland Central School District officials have been reviewing the safety and security of all buildings. As a result, administrators are asking community members to consider and vote on a $14.5 million Safety, Security and Health bond proposition on Tuesday, Nov. 19.

The bond proposition would include the addition of a wide range of safety and security items throughout the district’s schools.

Community members were able to ask questions and learn more about the bond at the Lakeland Board of Education meeting on Thursday, Nov. 7 in the Board Room at the Lakeland Administration Building in Shrub Oak.

New York State is currently offering the school district 59.7-percent state aid which will reduce the direct cost of the project to the Lakeland community. 

On a home valued at $300,000, there would be no cost in the 2013-2014 and 2014-2015 school years. In 2015-2016, it would be $51 per year and that would go to $39 per year in 2016-2017 and beyond.

If the bond is approved, it is anticipated that some work would begin in the summer of 2014 and the remainder in the summer of 2015. Currently, New York State is taking three to six months to approve projects. Additional time would be needed for architects to prepare specific plans and for bids to be sent out before construction could begin.

Specific recommendations in the proposed bond range from new door locks throughout the district to improved communications inside and between buildings.

The district is seeking to enhance site security through the replacement of older, analog cameras with new digital cameras and additional cameras in the areas where they are currently lacking.

As part of the effort to secure the building perimeters, the proposal will install double entrance vestibules in all buildings while also adding more sophisticated access control systems.

The bond proposal would include the addition of swipe card readers at building entry points. The cards can be programmed for specific uses and times. The bond will also provide visitor entry hardware and procedures including the ability to complete background checks when necessary. Securing the interior of school buildings during incidents or conducting lock downs will be enhanced by replacing doors where necessary and replacing all door hardware so that teachers can instantly lock doors from the inside.

The bond would add new lock sets on the doors permitting. 

"The proposed new locking system will speed up the process of locking down, and will open up and enhance the educational environment within the building," school officials said. "As part of the proposed bond, we will have the ability to isolate areas within the building to restrict access to other parts of a building when outside groups need to access a specific area of a building such as a gym or auditorium."

Communications will be enhanced by upgrading and integrating the phone and PA systems. The existing system is in need of repair, officials said. 

"It does not permit the quick and easy access between and within district school buildings," they said. "Additionally, our public address systems are outdated and in need of repair or replacement."

The bond would add an access path between Benjamin Franklin Elementary School and Lakeland Copper Beech Middle School for use in evacuations or emergency access. At Walter Panas High School, we will create a walkway leading down to the athletic fields. Currently, pedestrian foot traffic must walk on the same roadway as vehicles. 

School officials will also install additional lighting on that roadway to improve safety.

"Following Hurricane Sandy, we now recognize the need to have emergency generators at all of the schools that do not currently have one – Lakeland HS, Benjamin Franklin ES, George Washington ES, Thomas Jefferson ESS, Lincoln-Titus ES, Van Cortlandtville ES and the District Administration Building," officials said. 

Finally, they will address additional health and safety needs throughout the district including new windows at Benjamin Franklin Elementary School, a connecting corridor at Van Cortlandtville Elementary School, air conditioning of the auditorium and library at Lakeland High School and the cafetorium at Lakeland Copper Beech Middle School.

Following the tragic events in Newtown, Conn. last year, district officials began meetings with members of area police departments, the district’s architects, and insurance provider, to review the safety and security throughout the district.

According to a school district statement, following meetings with these groups, the Board of Education’s Construction Committee and administration met to develop a plan with several primary goals including:

  • Increasing site security 
  • Securing the building perimeter
  • Securing the interior during incidents
  • Enhancing communications district-wide
  • Addressing health and safety issues

You can find more details on the Lakeland Central School District's website.


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