More Worcester School Security Upgrades Ahead

SNOW HILL — Expanding on the initial steps taken last year, the Worcester County Commission unanimously approved funding for a second phase of school security upgrades this week.

Last year the county decided to employ armed School Resource Officers (SRO) in its schools under the purview of the Sheriff’s Department. Other security measures like ID scanners and buzzer systems were also added at that time. The upgrades requested this year are a natural evolution from that, according to Superintendent of Schools Dr. Jerry Wilson.

“As you can see with this request mostly what we see here are security cameras, we see security systems, upgraded security systems and communications systems,” he said.

The upgrades include replacing and adding interior and exterior security cameras at most county schools. Stephen Decatur High School will see the largest scale impact with close to 50 interior cameras replaced or added as well as 15 exterior cameras replaced or added. Many other schools will be undergoing camera overhauls to a slightly lesser degree.

In addition, 57 Angletrax Quest Mobil Digital Recording Systems will be purchased for use in school busses. These feature a recorder, cameras, an antenna and hard drive. Bus drivers will also have fresh communication options with a new Motorola VHF Duplexer for Repeater Operation that will come with close to 100 radios to keep buses, schools and the Board of Education better connected.

The Board of Education will be installing a new security system with sirens and motion detectors in its Newark site as well as 16 cameras for both interior and exterior. Finally, Ocean City Elementary School will get a Bi-Directional Amplifier Public Safety Radio System.

The total cost of Phase II school security upgrades is $241,502. However, state funding was made available last year for such improvements following the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn. It was that same shooting that prompted educators and government across the country, including in Worcester, to revamp protection in schools.

“The projects that you see here have all been approved by the state so they will all be eligible for the 50-50 match should the County Commissioner support these requests,” said Wilson.

The total cost to the county will be $120,751. The commissioners unanimously approved Phase II of the upgrades, which should be in place prior to the start of the next school year.