Board votes to repurpose former OLC/Delaney building as Jefferson County School Safety Center

The Jefferson County Board of Education voted Sept. 22 to repurpose the district’s former OLC/Delaney building as a Jefferson County School Safety Center, approving a motion after a presentation by safety director Jeff Caesar.

“Part of building that and why I’m here tonight to talk to you is about wanting to really develop this safety department … and put our resources together,” Jeff Caesar told the board, describing a site that could host secure meetings, trainings, summer conferences and, if needed, a command post for critical incidents. Caesar said local law-enforcement partners had committed donated labor and materials — including a $5,000 in-kind pledge from Home Depot — to help ready the space.

Board members asked for a written plan and cost estimate before work proceeds. Several members voiced strong support while pressing for limits on data sharing and clarification on staffing. “Centralizing that type of stuff is, I think, absolutely paramount,” board member Calvin Anderson said, citing his experience with fusion centers and network operations.

Administration said the building needs only modest repairs — primarily painting and other minor work — and that much of the initial renovation would be funded through donations or covered by existing operations budgets. The board approved the repurposing motion by voice vote and directed staff to return with a detailed schematic, budget and data-sharing framework for review.

The board’s action is procedural approval to repurpose the facility; any expenditures requiring district funds will be presented to the board in a future agenda item.