Officials discuss school security

As published in the Record Journal Saturday December 29, 2012

By Russell Blair
Record-Journal staff
rblair@record-journal.com
(203) 317-2225

WALLINGFORD - School officials held two meetings this week to discuss security measures and possible upgrades in the wake of the deadly shooting at a Newtown elementary school two weeks ago.

School Superintendent Salvatore Menzo and several Board of Education members met Friday morning with the district’s security consultant and parents who work in security and law enforcement to reassess protocols and examine alternatives.

“It was a very positive conversation,” Menzo said. “We’re exploring all the options the district should consider.”

Time is of the essence for school officials, who will submit the first draft of their 2013-14 budget next month. Menzo is planning to attend at least two more statewide school security meetings before the draft is submitted. Ideas will be ranked, with the most crucial going into the spending proposal.

Chet Miller, a Board of Education member who attended Friday’s meeting, said ideas ranged from security cameras to alarm systems that would trigger if someone gained unauthorized access to a school.The elementary and middle schools already have a buzzer system that requires front office staff to unlock the doors for visitors. The systems are being installed soon at the two high schools.

Miller said all the security in the world may not be able to stop a determined perpetrator, but “certainly we want to do what is practical and possible to protect our kids as best as we can.”

Menzo said administrators also met with police and fire officials on Wednesday to discuss how the departments respond to a school emergency. Principals were also reminded of security procedures.

Miller said people are usually on edge following a tragedy like the one at Sandy Hook Elementary School, but it’s important that security protocols continue to be followed in the weeks and months ahead.

“People tend to relax, memories fade ... we can’t let that happen,” he said. “We need to constantly be sure everybody is on the same page.”

School board member Kathy Castelli also attended Friday’s meeting and said she was pleased to hear from residents with expertise in the security field.

“Security and safety of children is the most important facet of what we do,” she said.

Castelli said she was still digesting the information presented at the Friday meeting.
“We need to explore what makes sense,” she said.

Though added security measures are being discussed, Castelli said it’s important to protect students and without unduly frightening them.