Board accepts $499,997 security grant to add IP cameras, visitor management and keyless entry

The Lake County Schools Board of Education approved acceptance of a $499,997 grant at its Dec. 8 meeting to upgrade school security systems and partially fund a safety coordinator's salary over three years.

Administration described the grant as a follow-up award tied to earlier Homeland Security and COPS funding. Speaker 5 outlined the scope: replacement of legacy analog cameras with networked IP cameras at all three district schools, a visitor-management system that scans identification and flags concerns, and magnetized keyless-entry IDs for faculty and staff that remove physical keys. The package also included funding to cover part of a safety coordinator's salary for three years; the grant period runs through Sept. 30, 2028.

Board members asked operational questions about camera placement, whether cameras could be installed beyond hallways, law-enforcement access to footage, and whether the quotes included additional cameras. Speaker 5 said the current quotes were for existing camera counts per building but that scope could be adjusted. A board member asked about DOJ reimbursement processes and whether the district would be reimbursed; administrators replied that the Department of Justice and grant procedures had been followed and that the district had completed the required waiver.

A motion to accept the award was moved, seconded and approved by roll call. Administration said it would finalize scope, coordinate procurement and report back to the board on implementation timing.

The acceptance commits no recurring local operating funds beyond any required matching or maintenance costs the board may later approve; staff indicated procurement would follow district contracting rules and any thresholds that require professional services or bidding.