Voters in the Lakeland School District approved on Tuesday a $14.5 million bond proposition that would include a wide range of safety and security items throughout the district’s schools.
The proposition passed with 671 votes in favor and 336 "opposed" votes, with unofficial 60 absentees to be still counted.
"We appreciate the community's support and we are pleased they recognized we had a responsible plan for improving safety and security in our schools without significant additional costs," Lakeland Superintendent of Schools Dr. George Stone said in a statement.
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.
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.
To read more about the rest of the safety improvements, click here.
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