Cornwall schools implement district-wide emergency lockdown system with capital fund transfer

On May 14, 2025, the Cornwall Central School District held a budget forum to discuss significant updates and funding strategies for the upcoming school year. A key focus of the meeting was the introduction of a new district-wide lockdown and emergency notification system aimed at enhancing safety across all five schools.

The proposed system will feature lockdown buttons installed in strategic locations, allowing administrators or authorized personnel to quickly initiate a lockdown in response to emergencies. Additionally, the system will include a mobile app and telephone functionality, ensuring that staff can activate the lockdown even if they are away from the physical buttons. The project also encompasses the installation of interior and exterior strobe lights to alert occupants during emergencies, along with new access control servers to support the system's configurations.

This modern safety initiative has gained traction in various school districts over the past five years, and Cornwall aims to implement it as part of its commitment to student and staff safety. Funding for this one-time expense will be sourced through a transfer to capital, reallocating funds from the current budget into a capital fund.

During the forum, discussions also addressed the rising operational costs associated with maintaining school facilities. The district anticipates an increase in expenses, estimated at over $200,000, primarily to keep the buildings operational. To manage these costs while also funding new positions, the district plans to apply $2.5 million from its fund balance and implement a reasonable tax increase.

The meeting underscored the district's proactive approach to safety and fiscal responsibility, as it seeks to balance the need for enhanced security measures with the financial realities of running a school district. As the budget discussions progress, community members will be closely watching how these decisions will impact both safety and educational resources in the coming year.