Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the School Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board approves short-term exterior security contract for district campuses
Summary
Trustees approved a time-limited contract with Talos Security to provide exterior patrols and a visible security presence on district campuses; funding will come from the district's restricted safety sub-fund and the administration will issue a community clarification letter in coordination with KPD.
The Kalispell Public Schools Board voted to approve a short-term, hourly contract with Talos Security to provide exterior patrols and irregular, visible security presence on district campuses to supplement existing school resource officers.
Administration described the contract as a complement to KPD SROs rather than a replacement and said security staff would operate on irregular patterns, check doors, patrol parking areas and exterior grounds and be directed by district administration for priority coverage. The district noted two recent incidents at high schools that accelerated attention to exterior security measures and said the safety audit recommendations informed the proposal.
Trustees asked for assurances about training, interaction with students and insurance. Administrator responses: the contract is for public/exterior areas (not unsupervised student access), Talos is insured, and the work would be coordinated closely with KPD and building administrators. A public commenter asked about the funding source; administrators said the district will use restricted safety sub-fund balances (elementary and high school safety sub-funds were described as having roughly $300,000 each). The board voted to approve the contract; administration said it would send a joint letter with KPD to clarify the program to the community.
The board also noted this is an interim step while longer-term staffing and funding options (including adding SROs or alternative safety staffing) continue to be evaluated.
