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Board weighs security budget increases, officer and window-film options
Summary
The security and safety budget review covered camera and door maintenance, push-to-talk device funding (offset by a local grant), ammunition and training needs, and discussion of adding a dedicated school officer and window film; staff estimated an extra officer would cost about $55,000 in salary.
Board members examined the safety and security budget, discussing operational needs, training frequency and potential personnel additions.
Jeff, the district security director, walked the board through supply and repair categories for door locks, cameras and software licensing, and said a local grant will cover push-to-talk devices for two years so those line items show zero for next year. "Jeff was able to get us a basically a local grant funding from Left Con to pay for all of the push-to-talk devices for a two-year period," the presenter said.
Jeff described ammunition and firearms-qualification costs and recommended more frequent training. He told the board a typical rifle qualification costs roughly $500–$600 and that a complete ammunition purchase including reserve stock runs about $1,000. He urged increasing training from once a year to quarterly or at least several times a year, noting associated overtime and modest additional training budget would be required.
Board members and security staff discussed adding a dedicated officer stationed at the high school and placing a vehicle on site. Jeff said adding another officer would not fully pay for itself but would offset some backfill costs when he or other staff are absent. Staff estimated a district-hired officer at about $55,000 in base pay (not including overtime). "Based on current rates, it's about $55,000," a board member said when asking for a cost estimate.
The group also discussed window film to prevent outside visibility into cafeterias and first-floor spaces; one speaker referenced a prior multi-building installation that was "almost to the penny exactly $100,000." Board members asked staff to explore grant options and vendors and said installation might be included in upcoming construction projects where possible.
The board did not take final personnel action at the meeting; members signaled interest in continuing the conversation, including a closed-session follow-up to discuss staffing and operational details that are not appropriate for open session.
