Pennridge to add electronic access controls to multiple buildings under school safety grant

Pennridge School District staff told the facilities committee May 6 they will install additional electronic access control points at multiple buildings using the Competitive School Safety Grant the district received last year and a modest local capital contribution.

District staff said the grant award that was written for the district totals $450,000; the access-control work discussed is one component of that grant package and staff estimated the district will draw roughly $45,000 from capital to complete the full set of grant-funded work. The state police’s safety assessments recommended the work for the buildings, staff said.

The work covers doors and entryways that did not previously have controlled access, plus upgrades to some existing reader panels so more readers can be supported on a single panel. Staff described a layered setup: an exterior door with a visitor phone or call button leading to an inner lobby, reader/fob access for staff, and additional exterior reader points so staff with badges can access other entryways. District staff said the intent is to create more secure, “funnel” entrances and to provide quicker, controlled re-entry after drills or emergencies.

Committee members asked about scope and cost breakdowns. Staff pointed to the bid packet and to a one‑page summary in the agenda; committee members identified approximately 15 total access points called out in the bid materials and staff later noted the list supports roughly 17 readers when modulars and upgraded panels are counted. Staff also said some of the work is entirely additional access points rather than replacements of existing readers.

No formal approval of the contract or bid award was recorded at the facilities committee meeting; staff presented the bid results and described next steps for contracting and installation.

District staff said the access-control installations are being coordinated with other door refurbishment work funded by the same grant so the combined projects will exhaust the $450,000 grant award plus the limited local capital contribution.