Exeter board authorizes up to $75,000 from capital reserve to install emergency alert systems at both schools

The Exeter School District board voted to authorize up to $75,000 from the district’s capital reserve fund to install emergency blue‑light alert systems at both Main Street and Lincoln Street schools.

The discussion — which lasted more than an hour — focused on safety benefits, cost estimates and timing. Administration presented estimates for a full installation of roughly $29,000 at Main Street and $39,000 at Lincoln Street, and described a partial, phased approach (installing ground-floor systems first) that could reduce near‑term cost but leave second‑phase wiring and central control for later.

Board members debated whether to use unassigned fund balance or capital reserve funds, whether to proceed at one school first or both at once, and how quickly a vendor could complete installations without disrupting summer programming. The board briefly considered a smaller, $32,000 motion to fund Main Street alone, then withdrew it and approved the larger, up‑to‑$75,000 authorization to fund both schools this summer.

Administrators said the systems include interior and exterior alert poles with strobes and sound and can be tied to first responders; they also noted that the work could be scheduled over the summer to limit disruption to programs. Board members asked administrators to continue tracking other capital needs so this single project does not unduly deplete reserves.

The vote was carried by the board; there was no recorded opposition in the public minutes. The district plans to monitor implementation and report back to the board about outcomes and potential funding needs for related security projects at the two buildings.