Cameras, Other Equipment Ordered for District Schools

The Windham School Board was informed this week that security equipment for all four schools in the district is on order, ready to install as soon as it arrives.

According to Superintendent Dr. Henry LaBranche, the district is looking at a cost of about $20,000 to install new cameras at all of the schools.

Also included in that cost will be a new buzzer system at Windham Middle School and an upgrade to the video server that stores all of the camera footage.

LaBranche said that money is available now in the budget to handle the cost, and that he made the situation a top priority.

School Business Administrator Adam Steel explained the specific security upgrades coming to each school, with Golden Brook School having the most significant needs.

For now, cameras will be added to a number of places in and around the GBS building, including the main entryway and interior spaces.

But an architect also needs to work on designing specifications to replace the front doors, as they are currently unable to be remotely locked from the main office in the same way that the other schools operate.

"That will be a significant expense that will need to be evaluated by the School Board and the administration," Steel said.

That cost, which is not yet known, was not included in the $20,000.

Steel said that Windham Center School is presently in good shape, but one  new camera inside the building will be installed in a place that the district thinks is an important place to put it.

Along with the new WMS buzzer system, cameras will be installed outside of the front entryway and inside the building.

Windham High School currently has a well-designed buzzer system with no camera. The district will add a camera so that staff in the main lobby can see who is talking to them when they press the buzzer.

A separate radio frequency to be used during emergencies is also being worked on by the school district. That frequency would connect SAU officials with police and fire officials.

The cost of the radio communication channel is still being investigated.