The Jamestown school board is considering safety recommendations for city schools, including security systems, in-classroom training, and physical improvements to buildings. The board must carefully evaluate the cost and effectiveness of these measures while also considering the impact on children and how to inform parents about the safety plan [d81e23a6]. While no safety measure can guarantee foolproof security, the board must strike a balance between shortcomings and benefits, without publicizing weaknesses to potential threats. It is crucial to consider how changes will be perceived by children, particularly younger ones, and to help parents understand the district's overall security plan. The district aims to maintain a level of secrecy to avoid aiding potential threats, but parents would feel more at ease if they had a better understanding of the security measures. The school safety recommendations require further action to be implemented as policy. [d81e23a6]
Quincy Public Schools Chief of Security Dan Arns highlighted security measures in the vestibule of Rooney Elementary School during a meeting of the Illinois Association of School Boards' Two Rivers Division. The meeting provided an opportunity for board members from across the region to learn about the security features implemented in Quincy's schools and to exchange ideas on school safety. The event also included a tour of Rooney Elementary School, which opened in 2018. The focus on security is a top priority for Quincy Public Schools, which built five elementary schools between 2015 and 2019. The security measures discussed included designated guard posts, controlled vestibules, two guards per building, lockdown buttons, and upgraded security systems. The meeting aimed to showcase the security features implemented in Quincy's schools and to provide inspiration for other districts in the region. [e087a1b3]
Wausau City Hall in Wisconsin will receive security upgrades after the city's Finance Committee and Council approved a plan to use $68,000 from reserves to cover the cost of a $231,470 proposal to install a secure entrance. The update aims to enhance safety without compromising accessibility. While visitors can still walk directly up to the clerk's counter, access to the rest of the building, including second and third-floor offices, will be restricted. The public will still have access to Council Chambers for meetings, but the entire building will not be accessible to meeting attendees. The proposal was approved with votes of 4-1 in the Committee and 8-2 in the Council. The Finance Committee also voted against a proposal to give elected officials a 3% raise. Alder Tom Kilian proposed an amendment to decrease alder pay by 3%, which was also voted down. Work on the security upgrades is expected to begin in the winter. [1faf189c]