High school requests cameras, digital recognition platform and modest athletics budget increases

High‑school leaders at Monroe’s Jan. 5 budget workshop requested modest increases for security, interventions and athletics operations, and outlined a plan for a digital recognition platform for the gym and lobby.

The high‑school presentation identified three primary budget drivers: a $4,500 dome camera to reduce blind spots in a computer lab with valuable equipment; restoration of literacy intervention staffing cut last year; and expanded crowd‑control/event worker stipends to ensure safer events. The principal described athletics participation as substantial — 583 students participating in sports (more than half the student population) — and said recent staffing increases at events improved safety and emergency response.

Athletics also proposed a touchscreen digital recognition platform (one large touch screen in the gym plus a lobby screen) to modernize display of athletic and academic achievements. Presenters said initial hardware and startup costs would be higher, with an ongoing service fee estimated roughly between $3,800 and $5,000 per year; the platform vendor would perform the initial site build and district staff would maintain updates thereafter.

Board members discussed fundraising and capital‑funding options for larger projects such as a jumbotron; staff noted fundraising is under way and installation timing will depend on cash‑in‑hand. The board did not take a final funding vote at the workshop and asked staff to incorporate these asks into upcoming budget deliberations.

Next steps: staff to refine cost estimates and return with budget language for the board’s consideration before the budget lock date.