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McDowell schools to install Knox boxes, expand lockdown drills and pursue playground and HVAC grants
Summary
Facilities staff told the board the district purchased 22 Knox boxes for emergency access, is finalizing a district lockdown plan aligned with North Carolina statute, has nearly spent a $1 million state grant at Pleasant Gardens, and is developing initial plans for a $4 million grant for West McDowell Middle and McDowell High School.
Mr. Marsh, director of transportation and facilities, updated the board on safety and capital work across the district and said the district has begun installing 22 Knox boxes to provide emergency access to school master keys. “We have begun the process of installing our Knox boxes on our campus. ... Master keys for each school are being cut and be placed inside the box for emergency access,” Marsh said.
Marsh told the board the district has shared access keys with local fire departments and is engraving and distributing keys for law enforcement partners. He said the district is working with law enforcement and emergency management to finalize a district lockdown plan that was written “in accordance with North Carolina General statute,” and that principals have received lockdown kits and binders. He said lockdown drills have begun across the district and that he has asked principals to perform drills at least once per quarter with an intention to increase to monthly drills by year’s end.
On capital projects, Marsh said the district’s capital HVAC allocation approved by the board — $250,000 — has been allocated to projects. He reported the Pleasant Gardens $1,000,000 state grant is nearly complete, with about $60,000 remaining to be allocated or spent. He said an initial planning phase is underway for a combined $4,000,000 state grant for West McDowell Middle School and McDowell High School; that plan will be reviewed by the board’s building and grounds committee and later presented to the full board.
Marsh also reported Cunningham Recreation and GameTime approved a 100% match for two new playground systems the district has applied for; if the board approves, those installations would be the fifth and sixth new playgrounds the district has installed since March. He said those playgrounds are typically procured as turnkey contracts to ensure warranties and to reduce liability.
Why this matters: Knox boxes and a formal lockdown plan change how first responders access campuses during emergencies; grants and capital allocations determine playgrounds, HVAC work and larger facility projects that affect student safety and daily operations.
Next steps: finalize locations and procurement plans for the two matched playground projects in coordination with the board’s grounds committee; continue rollout of lockdown drills and complete engraving and distribution of keys to first responders.
