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Harrison County Schools outlines security upgrades, mandatory GIS mapping and cybersecurity work
Summary
District staff reported completed active-shooter training, planned secure-entrance and camera upgrades, a facial-recognition rollout with Rank One, and a new GIS mapping requirement tied to a state House bill; cybersecurity measures and weapon-detector purchases were also discussed
District safety staff updated the Harrison County Board of Education on May 20 about a series of security and cybersecurity upgrades taking place across schools and on a new state mandated GIS requirement for school mapping.
A district speaker reported that active-shooter training for the school year "was completed February 24 as mandated by law." They said the district must also implement school GIS mapping under the statute the speaker identified as "House Bill 31 66," effective Sept. 1, 2026, and estimated the mapping service costs at roughly $4,500 to $7,500 depending on district size.
On physical security, the district said work is already underway to add access controls at Mountaineer Elementary, RCB and South Harrison High School and that secure entrances for Liberty Middle, Bridgeport High and Bridgeport Middle are scheduled for the 2025—26 school year. The board heard that a camera upgrade for elementary and middle schools is planned for this summer.
The district also described technical systems being implemented: Rank One facial-recognition tools are being added to selected cameras and a Siemens emergency alert system is in final programming and testing, both due for rollout by fall. Security staff said an RFC (vendor) team will train principals, secretaries and officers on Rank One and that the emergency alert units will provide combined visual and audio notification for noisy spaces such as cafeterias and band rooms.
Staff said the district has added weapon detectors and scheduled training for administrators. The district reported progress on school resource officer (PRO) staffing, with high-school-level PROs in place and a plan for one halftime PRO at Liberty Middle.
On cybersecurity, the district said a security initiative launched March 13 is in advanced stages of onboarding; endpoints are enrolled, engineers are "tuning the system," and the district has a 24/7 security engineering support arrangement. Officials said they are also increasing training for administrators and staff and plan a principals' training session on July 21.
Speakers identified coordination needs with the county 9-1-1 center for the GIS maps and noted vendors both in-state and out-of-state are offering mapping services. The board asked questions about coverage in gymnasiums and the feasibility of additional beacons and alert hardware for large, noisy venues.
No formal votes were taken on security projects at the meeting; staff sought the board's awareness and support while implementation continues.
