School Committee Moves Forward with Security Cameras

While the exact number of cameras and a final price for interior and exterior security measures at Milton High School and Pierce Middle School are still being ironed out, the funding is set and the school's business administrator is confident work will be done this fall.

Matt Gillis told the Milton School Committee on Tuesday night that he will be meeting with the two remaining bidders on the project to bring security cameras to the schools.

Security cameras were originally part of the plans for the Milton High School, but were value engineered out. Now, the district is willing to pay up to $200,000 for the security upgrades. That money will be coupled with $50,000 donations from both the Copeland Family Foundation and the School Building Committee.

Three state-approved contractors submitted proposals after walking the sites with Gillis, Superintendent Mary Gormley and principals from the schools, but one backed out of the process. The plans will have cameras inside the schools in problem areas as well as exterior cameras that will link up to the Milton Police Station's bank of monitors.

Denis Keohane questioned the proposals because they varied by as much as 30 cameras. Gillis said with help from the police department's consultant, two parents with experience in the security field and school administrators,  the exact layout will be worked out.

"We're going to agree on the number and placement before we move forward," Gillis told the committee.

Once a contract is signed, work can begin. Gillis said the interior cameras will be done after school hours and the project could be complete by the end of October.

At the meeting, member Chris Huban also gave a report from the Consolidated Facilities Subcommittee. Huban said the committee, which was formed after Town Meeting voted to form a single facilities department for the town and school buildings, will meet again on September 1. Huban said a few legal questions will be answered at that time and the Memorandum of Understanding will be ready for review by the School Committee afterward. The School Committee and the Board of Selectmen have a joint session scheduled for September 15.

Also at the meeting, the committee welcomed three new members to the administration: Andrew Boles, assistant principal at Pierce Middle School, Marilyn Decker, director of science K-12 and Amy Gale, Pierce Middle School curriculum coordinator.

The School Committee will meet again on September 8. At least through December, the School Committee will meet the first and third Wednesday of each month.