Franklin County approves districtwide audio‑enhancement safety system for middle and high schools

The Franklin County Board of Education voted to approve proposals to install an audio‑enhancement safety and communications system in Western Hills High School, Franklin County High School, Bondrew Middle School and Elkhorn Middle School, board members said during the April 14 regular meeting.

The district’s superintendent recommended the purchase of a multi‑part system that includes teacher and student microphones with classroom amplification, a centralized intercom and paging system, duress buttons/badges for staff, exterior safety extenders, classroom and hallway displays that can flash lockdown messages, and optional integration with cameras and other school systems. Watson, the vendor representative, said the system also has translation features that let students hear a teacher’s spoken instruction in another language through headphones.

Why it matters: Board members said the system is intended to improve classroom audibility, everyday communication and emergency response across the secondary schools. The superintendent said the district intends to install the system over the summer so it is operational on the first day of school and then expand it to elementary schools.

Details and vendor responses

Watson, the vendor representative, described the product as “a centralized intercom, so, we can speak to schools, we can speak to classrooms. They can tailor their announcements to individual classrooms, groups.” He said each teacher’s microphone includes a safety duress button and non‑teaching staff can use badge devices to call for help.

On outdoor coverage, Watson said the district would install safety extenders on building exteriors and exterior horns so staff working outside — for example on a football field — would receive alerts and hear alarms. On installation timing, Watson said the vendor would use two installation crews and aim to complete work during summer break; typical install times provided by the vendor were about two weeks for elementary schools, two to three weeks for middle schools and three to four weeks for high schools.

Cost and support

The superintendent told the board the purchase is a one‑time cost; the vendor confirmed there is no recurring annual fee but said customer service and technical support would remain available. Watson described training the district would receive, including sending three vendor staff to be trained at the vendor’s headquarters to support local implementation and to provide on‑site training for district staff.

Questions and operational details

Student board members and other board members asked who would monitor alerts and whether the district would need extra staff. Watson said kiosks for the front office would show a map and highlight the location of a triggered alert; alerts can be routed as push notifications, text messages and emails to people the district chooses (principals, vice principals, SROs, other designees). Watson said classroom amplifiers provide a visible indicator when a teacher’s alert has been sent and when the front office acknowledges it, and that audible and visual alerts would also notify front office staff.

Board action and outcome

A motion to approve the audio‑enhancement proposals passed by voice vote. The public record shows the board adopted the recommendation; the transcript records a voice “aye” vote but does not include a roll‑call tally.

Votes at a glance

- Audio‑enhancement contract — Motion to approve proposals for Western Hills High School, Franklin County High School, Bondrew Middle School and Elkhorn Middle School; outcome: approved by voice vote (counts not specified in transcript). Referenced discussion and vendor Q&A. - 2025–26 Code of Acceptable Behavior handbook — Motion to approve; outcome: approved by voice vote (counts not specified). - March 10, 2025 meeting minutes — Motion to approve; outcome: approved by voice vote. The transcript notes Board Member Watterson was marked absent or abstained for the March 10 vote. - Donation to Hurnell Elementary School — Motion to approve donation of $2,300 for girls/boys basketball and cheerleaders and $1,344.50 to the performing arts club; outcome: motion made and seconded; approved by voice vote (counts not specified).

What the board did not decide today

The board discussed the vendor’s description of translation features and external coverage, but did not vote on any changes to who receives alerts, specific staff assignment of monitoring duties, or a timeline for elementary school rollout beyond the stated intention to expand after high‑ and middle‑school installations.

Ending

Board members closed the agenda item after the vote and moved on to other consent and routine items later in the meeting.