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Lake Havasu school officials report Homeland Security audit, outline camera and radio upgrades
Summary
A federal Homeland Security representative reviewed security at Lake Havasu High School and Thunderbolt Middle School and recommended upgrades; district leaders discussed cameras, radios, SRO staffing and grant options after recent threats and an uptick in on-campus incidents.
Lake Havasu Unified School District leaders told the governing board on Sept. 11 that a representative from the Department of Homeland Security conducted a rapid school safety review and delivered recommendations for small improvements, grant opportunities and communications upgrades.
The review, which district staff said began Sept. 10, covered the high school and middle school. "She was very impressed with what she saw both high school and the middle school," Mr. Keller told the board, noting the visitor took "copious amounts of notes with suggestions for improvements." Keller reported the district has "137 cameras at the high school and 69 cameras at the middle school," and said the federal reviewer recommended targeted enhancements and possible funding avenues.
The audit came as the board discussed staffing and equipment options. Keller and other district speakers outlined possible next steps including applying for the federal COPS grant to fund single-point entries, improved parking-lot lighting and upgraded radios for staff. Keller said the district is considering digital radios that can use Wi‑Fi as a backup and base stations for offices to improve intra-campus communications.
Board members pressed for cost estimates. One member asked for a cost analysis to determine what it would take to place one or two security personnel at every school and whether the district should employ security staff directly or continue relying on Havasu police officers assigned as school resource officers. Keller said some districts put SROs on district payroll to streamline operations and improve coordination.
Board and staff also discussed recent false threats and how the district and police have responded. Keller and other officials described coordinated responses with the Lake Havasu Police Department, school assemblies at Thunderbolt Middle School, and a clear message that threats would be taken seriously. "Any anyone, including any student that makes a threat even if it is a joke will be charged with a felony," the district representative said, noting the police department had delivered that message to middle‑school students.
District officials said the school safety grant program offers funding options that could support either counselors or resource officers, and that an audit could help the district target grant applications. Keller said the Homeland Security representative hopes to return for follow-up visits to elementary campuses and the district office if travel funds are available.
Board members and administrators also discussed the feasibility of adding audio to site cameras, the legal limits of audio recording under Arizona law and the technical challenges of clear audio in large foyers or bus interiors. Keller said legal and technical issues will be researched before the district adds audio capability in common areas.
The board did not take a formal vote specific to the audit at the meeting but acknowledged the district had already added additional security staff at Thunderbolt Middle School and requested follow-up cost estimates and implementation plans from administration.
The district said it will return with cost analyses and grant application plans at a future meeting.
