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Jonesboro ISD pitch prompts countywide look at panic buttons and broadband tie-ins
Summary
After Jonesboro ISD raised a contractor offer for panic-button systems tied to 911, commissioners discussed whether to pursue a countywide rollout and how broadband conduit and fiber loops could support interagency connections and courthouse upgrades.
Chair reported that Jonesboro ISD has been in touch with a contractor offering a panic-button system that connects directly to 911 and asked whether the court wanted to explore a countywide program across local ISDs rather than a single-district purchase.
Commissioners noted potential complications: state legislative changes in the coming session could impose new security requirements for schools, and the county would need to ensure any system could be implemented countywide (Cove, Gatesville, Evant, Oglesby, Jonesboro). Staff pointed to partial fiber/conduit work already in place downtown and said a placeholder budget for broadband would help future-proof connections. Chair proposed preserving about $300,000 for a fiber loop and reallocating remaining broadband funds into building renovations that would include jail air-handler work.
