Wamego’s USD 320 Board of Education reviewed the District’s priority items Monday night. Based on the Board’s identifying Security as one of their main priority items, Superintendent Denise O’Dea introduced representatives from Wamego Telecommunications Company (WTC), who outlined a security camera proposal throughout the District.
According to WTC’s Chad Herman, the five (5) main reasons for installing security camera’s throughout facilities are, 1) increased student and faculty safety, 2) incident review and resolution, 3)vandalism deterrent, 4)visitor monitoring and 5) building awareness.
Herman said, after an extensive walk-through of each complex with the principals, the needs were split into two levels. Priority Level 1 requires a total of 115 cameras and all supporting equipment at a monthly cost of over $4,600 on a 36-month agreement. Priority Level 2 requires an additional 49 cameras for a cost of over $1,400 per month for 36-months. There would be an additional upfront cost of $41,000 for all the wiring and cabling that would cover both levels. The Board will review the information for a decision at a later date.
At Monday’s regular meeting, principals of the District’s schools were asked to present a list of demands and restrictions of their facilities based on the enrollment expansion the District has seen. Wamego High School Principal Tim Winters said the number one priority was security with the number of parking lots and entrances to the school. He said there would be a need for additional classroom space in the near future.
Wamego Middle School Principal Vici Jennings, West Elementary Principal Amy Flinn, Central Elementary Principal Teri Dow and Food Service Director Laura Fails all said additional classroom and storage space is in desperate need. Fails said her department has served 20,000 more lunches in 2014 than in 2010, and storage is critical. The District anticipates the enrollment numbers to grow consistently, and will be making the decisions to meet the needs of the different schools with the upcoming renovations to the church property.
In other business, the Board approved the early graduation request of Emmy Landis, who has met all the requirements to graduate in December of 2015, in order to pursue her education in nursing. The Board also approved adding a Behavior Consultant Position to the Special Education Cooperative. According to Special Education Director Rebekah Helget, the cost of the position will be covered by categorical aid, and will cost the District very little.
