Board approves $4.37 million security upgrade; OKs radios and student Chromebooks

The Battle Creek Public Schools Board of Education voted Oct. 13 to approve a $4,368,661.72 security upgrade paid from bond funds and also approved smaller technology purchases intended to support school safety and daily operations.

Director Hayden, presenting the security recommendation, told the board the project will install comprehensive CCTV coverage inside and outside all schools and classrooms, implement a card access system districtwide and add weapons-detection systems at the high school, middle schools and athletic facilities. He said vape-detection units will be installed at select sites. "With the approval of this resolution, AE Tech, who is our, who is our manager for this, will begin the formal AIA contract," Hayden said.

The district plans to prioritize the high school first because of student population and number of large gatherings, then expand to middle schools and other sites. Hayden said vendor-led training for staff will be part of the implementation. He also said cameras and systems will be governed by student-privacy rules: "This is more of a replacement strategy ... and it's still all subject to FERPA, education rights and privacy act."

Trustees discussed whether and when to extend some technologies to elementary buildings, including whether weapons-detection systems or additional monitoring should be used in sites that host many parents and community events. Hayden said those questions will be part of ongoing planning and noted some cameras will be positioned to avoid private areas: "certain cameras we're gonna place over changing table, it will block out certain [views]."

In the consent motion that followed, the board approved the security package by voice vote. The board also approved two separate actions presented earlier in the meeting: a $13,105 purchase of new digital radios for Battle Creek Central High School and an authorization of up to $80,000 to buy student Chromebooks.

Votes at a glance

- Security upgrades: Approved. Motion text (as read): "we approve the security updates presented in the total amount of $4,368,661.72 from bond funds." Moved and supported during the meeting; outcome recorded as motion passes by voice vote. Funding source: bond funds. Vendor/manager named in presentation: AE Tech.

- BCCHS radio replacement: Approved. Motion to purchase digital radios for Battle Creek Central High School for $13,105 from security bond funds; motion passed by voice vote.

- Student Chromebooks: Approved. Motion authorizing purchase of student Chromebooks up to $80,000 from general funds; motion passed by voice vote.

Why this matters: The package is the largest single security investment presented at the Oct. 13 work session and pairs infrastructure (cameras, card access) with detection technologies (weapons and vape detectors). Board members asked about training, privacy protections under FERPA and how the district will manage staffing and protocols once equipment is installed.

Administration said the security work will proceed under a formal contract with the selected vendor and that phased rollout and training are planned. The district also said some funding for vape detectors comes from settlement money previously approved by the board.