District updates door access, video and restroom-sensor rollout; cell-phone policy returns for first reading

The Delaware City Schools Board heard updates on security-system installations and a first reading of a revised cell-phone policy on Sept. 8.

Jen Fry provided a security update: the district has about 20 doors left to complete in its door-access-control project (out of 86 total) and reported that visitor management is operating well at buildings the staff checked. Environmental sensors were installed in identified pilot restrooms at Dempsey and Hayes, and staff are working with the vendor to program those sensors to the district’s specifications.

"As of last Friday, there were just about 20 doors left to come online in our door access control project. That's out of the 86 total doors," Fry said. She added that the leadership team is reviewing board policies on video surveillance and electronic monitoring and that the district is seeking initial input from legal counsel because new camera and sensor features differ from the district's prior equipment.

Superintendent Pomeroy noted that technology can get "out in front of policy and the law," and praised staff for cross-referencing product features with policy and counsel. The district plans to seek input from principals and the teaching-and-learning team and to take next steps with the vendor (Verkada) and building principals for implementation.

Separately, the board received a first reading of a revised cell-phone policy. Staff said the substantive change centers on which staff approve device-use requests: language now specifies an administrator or an IEP team or Section 504 plan (removing teachers from that specific approval role) and staff are building a form for teachers to request approval of device use for instructional purposes.

Both the security update and the policy reading were presented as informational items; no board action was taken at the Sept. 8 meeting on either matter.