Board approves security camera change order; district updates school crossing and access plans

The Chula Vista Elementary School District board unanimously approved a change order for the district’s security-camera project and received an operations update covering pedestrian crossings, new signage, access-control plans and staff training.

District operations staff reported ongoing work with the City of Chula Vista on crosswalk upgrades at multiple campuses and said the district is installing 11-by-17 signs at access points limiting entry to staff and authorized volunteers. The district’s safety manager, Amed Wiggins, and operations staff presented a timeline that targets project completion by June 30 and readiness for the 2025–26 school year.

On the cameras, trustees asked about the size of the change order and competing vendor bids. The board approved a change order increase of $87,855 to revise camera specifications to meet school needs; the board voted to ratify the change order after staff explained the increase reflected higher-spec equipment requested by campuses. The motion passed unanimously.

Staff also described plans to improve substitute access to the district’s notification system by provisioning shared tablets at schools so substitutes can register on-site, and they described a tiered training plan to ensure front-line staff and designated campus users receive active drills and notifications. District staff said some elements of training will be scheduled during school hours or via Zoom and that they are coordinating with unions and principals to set dates.

Board members asked staff to provide timelines and to coordinate with city traffic engineers for crossing studies; staff said one prior traffic study had been performed outside school hours and that additional study and coordination with the city’s transit division are underway.

Votes at a glance: The board approved the camera change order and ratified associated camera procurement by unanimous vote.