Board OKs new security system for high school

The Fairfield community school board voted Monday to spend $32,660 to install a new security system, including new security cameras outside the high school.

Fairfield auxiliary services director Fred McElwee and Fairfield High School associate principal Aaron Becker said a study during the last five to six months of the current security system has revealed concerns about the cameras? quality and a need for a new system.

Becker explained the current camera system?s capabilities are not reliable or sufficient to maintain a safe and secure learning environment 24 hours a day.

?We currently have several blind spots and can?t zoom in on incidents that happen so we can investigate properly,? he said.

The nine to 11 new cameras outside the building could zoom in close enough to see a vehicle?s license plate number.

Becker said the new system can be expanded to include 30 or more cameras both outside and inside the building, and a key-card system for doors.

The current system network is maxed out, he added.

The current camera and key-card door system by New Millennium Technology was installed in 2008 at a cost of about $31,309.

Jason Kurth, the district?s technology director, has told McElwee and Becker the New Millennium system can be relocated to Fairfield Middle School or any other building in the district deemed appropriate.

For the complete article, see the Wednesday, March 10, 2010, printed edition of The Fairfield Ledger.