The school’s video surveillance system includes many 4-K cameras. The cameras are heat sensing and can be set up to trigger alarms for designated parts of the campus.
In recent years, tragedies from gun violence at schools have reached an unprecedented frequency—one that threatens to normalize school shootings as a part of everyday American life.
According to Jennifer Burks, associate superintendent of technology and innovation, 12 of the district’s 14 middle and high schools have had state-of-the-art video systems installed, and the district is working on installing the equipment at the final two middle schools.
The school district plans to use the funds to install 18 indoor and outdoor security cameras in and around its elementary school building.
Clovis North High School may be testing security robots as soon as February.
Per the agreement, the access will be restricted to emergency situations such as a threat to the school, a 911 call received from the school or somewhere nearby or assistance requested by the school.
The goal is to raise $62,000 to pay for cameras at the district’s high schools and one of its middle schools, and $43,000 has already been raised.
"It's an additional safety feature that our board and administration felt like was absolutely worth the investment. And again as we always do, safety is going to be our number one concern. And this is just another one of those layers of safety," district communications director Meredith Bounds said.
“We want staff to feel safe and supported when they come to work,” said Dame Eileen Sills, chief nurse at Guy’s and St Thomas’s. “Any unprovoked violence and aggression towards staff is unacceptable.”
“The use of these funds to purchase these cameras for our district is a much-welcomed relief,” Superintendent for Central High Public Schools Bennie Newton said.