Jordan (WSYR-TV) - While schools across the country re-assess safety measures after the Sandy Hook shooting, the Jordan-Elbridge School District is finishing major security upgrades at all of its schools.
They installed 108 cameras across the district in places like hallways, cafeterias, and entrances; and visitors need to use a buzzer to get in.
An observer can view the feed through any camera on district computers. Ultimately, State Police will have access to the same feed.
“School mantras have always been education first, education first, but that’s got to change. It’s safety first, safety first. You can’t learn until you feel safe,” said J-E superintendent James Froio.
Nearly $5 million in upgrades for security are almost complete, and were approved before the shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary. Now, Froio wants to incorporate teacher input to make schools even safer.
“For example right now, our teachers can only lock the doors from the outside - they can't lock their doors from the inside of the classroom, so we're going to change all the door knobs,” he said.
They will also have more lockdown drills – which are similar to fire drills – to prepare students for the possibility of an intruder.
“If you saw a fire drill, kids file out like little ducks and they know what to do. It's been ingrained in them. It's a sign of the times, but they're going to have to get just as comfortable in different lock down scenarios,” Froio said.
The superintendent also hopes to find funding for school resource officers to help protect students and monitor the security cameras.
