Sudbury Group Bails Out SPS from Security Donation Flap

Thanks to Sudbury Extended Care Board of Directors, Sudbury Public Schools won't have to foot the entire bill for a new security system after losing out on a chance to have it paid in full earlier this year by an anonymous donor.

The SPS School Committee voted to accept a $35,000 gift from Sudbury Extended Day to help pay for the recently installed security cameras and buzzers.

"They have space in each of our schools," Superintendent Anne Wilson said, "and they have utilized the system to keep after-school programs safe."

SPS missed out on upgrading its security for free after timing issues prevented an anonymous donation from being used.

"We did have an offer of a donation to supply the materials for the elementary schools," Wilson said at a March meeting. "Unfortunately, the time-line for the donation did not meet the time-line for the installation."

Wilson eluded the timing issue had to do with a legally required permit process, which SPS has since completed.

"There are times when things don’t line up, as was the case here," she said.

The money from Sudbury Extended Care will cover about two-thirds of the  $53,000 project. The system was upgraded after the Newtown, Conn., massacre last December, when 20 Sandy Hook Elementary School students and six adults were killed.

The remainder of the cost will continue to come from the schools’ operating budget.

The devices have already been installed at all of the K-8 schools.

"One of the things to note is, the feedback is people still feel welcomed to the buildings, the way they are being greeted," Wilson said. "We are hearing from the secretaries they are comfortable with system. There is no need for increased staffing to help monitor. Every school has done a wonderful job planning for larger events, having badges ready, having extra people on duty as needed."