Pubdate: Fri, 06 Jan 2006
Source: Parkersburg Sentinel, The (WV)
Copyright: 2006, The Parkersburg Sentinel
Contact:  http://www.newsandsentinel.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1647
Author: Michael Erb

SCHOOLS TO APPLY FOR FEDERAL SAFETY FUNDS

PARKERSBURG - Schools in Wood County are eligible to  receive more 
than $20,000 in security systems this year  as part of the federal 
Safe & Drug-Free Schools  program. Dianne Boggess, coordinator of the 
Wood County  Safe & Drug-Free Schools program, said schools 
may  apply for the federal funds until March 1 to purchase  camera 
systems, metal detectors and communications  systems to help them 
better monitor and secure their  facilities. This is the sixth year 
the federal funds have been available for area schools and $20,512.51 
has  been allocated for the equipment purchases.

However, the money does come with strings attached,  Boggess said. 
Any purchases much be in line with a  school's comprehensive drug and 
violence prevention  program and their use must support one or more 
of the  programs goals. The areas targeted by the Safe &  Drug-Free 
Schools program are use of drugs, alcohol or  tobacco and school violence.

Schools must be able to show the purchases would help  reduce one of 
four problem areas targeted by the  program: Drugs, alcohol, tobacco 
or violence.

"It is not like a school security system where you are  protecting 
the building," she said. "It is a security  system that is making the 
school more safe for kids by  looking at places where kids are during 
the day. "

The local program also is only permitted to spend 20  percent of its 
more than $100,000 budget on security  systems, so the number of 
schools that may benefit is  limited.

"We try to accommodate as many of the requests as  possible," 
provided they meet the guidelines, Boggess  said.

Last year several area school received security  upgrades through the 
program, including new camera  system at Parkersburg High, Lubeck 
Elementary and  Martin Elementary schools. Emerson Elementary 
expanded its camera system while Jefferson Elementary received  new 
radios to help with communications. Waverly  Elementary purchased new 
walkie talkies, she said.

Many schools also purchase recording devices to improve  their camera 
systems, allowing them to record and  review footage in select areas 
of the schools.

"It doesn't take the place of teachers being out in the  hallways, 
but it does monitor problem areas in the  schools," she said.

Lawrence Hasbargen, assistant superintendent of  maintenance and 
facilities, said the extra funding  means schools can personalize 
their security systems to  their own needs.

"It allows the schools to have the monies available to  create a more 
safe environment for their students," he  said.

Hasbargen said the program also allows schools to  purchase equipment 
they might not otherwise be able to  afford. Other security systems 
are purchased using  general maintenance funds, which often are limited.

"It does help stretch our maintenance budget," he said.

Most of the systems will be maintained by district  personnel or 
local contractors. Boggess said the cost  of maintenance is not 
covered under the federal  dollars.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman