Santee board directs immediate purchases of paging and visitor-management systems after DHS review

The Santee School District Board of Education directed administration to move forward with two safety purchases after a multi‑site security review with Stone Campus Safety and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Superintendent Dr. Kristin Baranski told the board that “the cost to complete all the safety security system upgrades, based on current vendor quotes, would cost the District $9,502,338,” and presented a line‑item estimate that listed an automated door locking system ($6,948,000), an indoor/outdoor paging/clock system ($1,885,938), and a visitor management system upgrade ($636,400 for five years). After discussion, the board gave direction to proceed with the paging/clock system and the visitor management upgrade and asked that product demonstrations be presented at the next meeting.

Board members framed the purchase as part of an ongoing safety program: the district installed a new campus camera system during 2022–23 that received commendation from Homeland Security, and Homeland Security additionally recommended automated door locks and visitor‑management improvements. Superintendent Baranski said the visitor management system includes wearable emergency notification badges and noted the district has been working with Centegix for six months, adding the district “would be the first in San Diego County to purchase a system of this type.”

The board recorded a 4–0 vote to proceed with the specified purchases (Member Levens‑Craig absent). Administration identified the paging/clock system cost at $1,885,938 and the visitor management system upgrade at $636,400 (five‑year term); the district asked that vendors return with product details for transparency before final contracting.