CRSD upgrades security measures for 22-23 school year
Submitted by KDQN news director Patrick Massey
School security has been a major topic of discussion across the nation since the tragic killing of 21 children and teachers at the Uvalde, Texas Elementary School. At the June meeting of the Cossatot River School Board, members approved a district-wide upgrade to enhance the school system’s security measures.
The board approved a partnership AAMSCO for upgraded the upgraded door security system to be installed districtwide. Currently, the system is in use at the central office and at Cossatot River High School. That system will be now be extended to every campus of the Cossatot River School District.
All campus main doors will be equipped with an Aiphone, which is the button the visitor presses that rings into a video feed for the secretaries, who can buzz the visitors in. Each campus will have at least one additional Aiphone for doors that get a lot of student traffic. Doors that get a lot of staff use will have a badge reader. Also, doors will be equipped with an alarm that will buzz if propped open past a few minutes.
Each campus will have a visitor management system that will require visitors to scan their driver’s license to get a visitor sticker. The driver’s license scan will do a quick background check on them on the spot. Additionally, there will be a physical door lockdown switch as well as the capability for administration to lockdown the exterior doors digitally as well.
The district also plans to add additional school resource officers. Superintendent Tyler Broyles said he also plans to train additional staff to serve as reserve deputies within buildings of the school district. He said that training will set the standard for what school security should be.
The board approved a few personnel changes also. Judy Joiner was hired as the CRPS Pre-K Director. Samantha Sellers was hired as principal at CRPS.
Dr. Mary Lowrey was hired as the Umpire K-12 Principal. She has been a teacher at De Queen for 21 years as well as a community college adjunct instructor. She and her family own a farm in Vandervoort where they have lived for some time. The district also hired a band director, art teacher, and a few paraprofessionals to replace people who have left.
Finally, the Cossatot River School District athletic fields are projected to be done this week.
