Portable Classroom Safety Still Under Review

The Board of Education is still considering safety and security improvements to the school district's portable classrooms.

School officials' review of the portable units, which are located five of the district's six schools, began in the wake of the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School last December.

"The goal of the board is to try to get as many student as possible out of the portables and into the buildings," said board chairman Kerrie Flanagan.

Earlier this week, the board's building and grounds committee reviewed proposals from school administrators aimed at not only securing the classrooms, but possibly moving students out of the buildings altogether.

"That may mean moving the board of ed meetings into the portables and making the board of ed conference room available for other use in order to free up space," Flanagan said.

Other changes discussed have included the installation of fencing, swipe card access and locking doors at the portables. One plan announced in January would cost about $111,000, according to school officials.

What remains unclear is what, if any, safety mandates will be required from the state following the shootings that left 20 children and six adults dead.

"We are continuing to try to look for viable solutions for the portables, as well as to address cost and budgeting and how to go about implementing other security measures," Flanagan said.

Emergency officials from both towns, as well as school and town officials are currently reviewing an overall security plan which was last updated about five years ago.

Flanagan said the board is planning to present a comprehensive safety and security plan to the public next month.

"It's not easy because we don't have a lot of space to work with," Flanagan said.