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Sweet Home staff seek public comment on Smart Schools plan to add internal door swipe systems; Harding project estimated at $551,000
Summary
District officials presented a Smart Schools Investment Plan for electronic door access and other security upgrades; if approved by the board the plan will open a 30‑day public comment period prior to submission to the state Department of Education.
The Sweet Home Central School District presented a Smart Schools Investment Plan proposing electronic internal door swipe access at the high school and middle school and other technology and security upgrades. The board was told that, if the board approves the plan, a 30‑day public comment period will open and the district will submit the plan and any comments to the New York State Education Department for consideration under the Smart Schools Bond Act.
District staff said the Smart Schools Bond Act — enacted at the state level several years ago and which created a multi‑billion dollar pool for school technology and security projects — can fund security upgrades. Dr. Genestri summarized the plan and noted the district expects the Harding project portion to cost approximately $551,000. He said the funds should cover the high school work and most of the middle‑school work.
Dr. Genestri said: “If approved tonight the public comment period starts for the next 30 days and then we can submit our plan plus any comments to state ed to try and get the money flowing.”
Board members were given a general funding outlook and a timeline for the district budget process: the first program maintenance budget review occurred Feb. 8; the next budget study sessions are scheduled for March 11 and April 8, the budget hearing is set for April 22 and the annual budget vote and school board election on May 20.
The board did not take a final vote on the Smart Schools plan at the meeting; the superintendent asked that the plan be placed on the agenda for approval so the district can begin the public comment period if the board approves later in the meeting cycle.
District staff also said the Smart Schools funding can be used for security upgrades and that the plan includes eliminating keyed door systems in favor of card‑swipe entry for internal doors at the middle and high schools to improve controlled access.
If approved the public comment record will be included in the submission to the state for review under the Smart Schools Bond Act.
Smaller items discussed during the same report included student engagement projects (a student‑designed “Sweet Home Panther” logo contest with more than 300 submissions and a $500 scholarship for the eventual winner) and a budget calendar to guide planning for the spring budget vote.
