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Pendleton School District pauses security upgrades as funding outlook remains uncertain
Summary
At a Jan. 28 special meeting, Michelle Jones, the district's director of business services, outlined a vendor proposal for cameras and card access but said the district will delay purchases amid anticipated PERS increases, contract negotiations and a newly announced federal funding freeze.
Michelle Jones, the district's director of business services, presented an overview of Pendleton School District 16R's security systems and a vendor proposal from Alpine Alarm (in partnership with Verkada) that offered 1-, 5- and 10-year licensing options.
Jones told the board that the district's current systems include card access, cameras and night monitoring panels and said the vendor had provided costed licensing options. She said recent notices — including "substantial PERS increases" expected and an announced "federal funding freeze as of 5:00 p.m. tonight" — and multiple upcoming contract negotiations make it prudent to delay vendor engagement. "My primary focus is ultimately protecting as many FTE as possible who have direct contact with students," Jones said.
Board members discussed the possibility of adding a second school resource officer (SRO) but agreed to place that idea on hold pending clearer information about state and federal funding. The district will not move forward with Alpine Alarm's proposal for now and will revisit the matter in the coming budget cycle when fiscal impacts from PERS and state funding become clearer.
