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Cocalico approves security measures
By KIMBERLY MARSELAS
Ephrata Review
Published: Jun 04, 2008 1:11 PM EST
DENVER - The Cocalico School Board approved staffing changes and expenses May 19
that are expected to make the district's six schools more
secure.
The board approved $30,530 in capital reserve spending,
which will largely fund advertising and architectural services needed to
get security improvements under way. About $1,500 will be set aside to
upgrade technology and security at the district's central
office.
Starting this fall, all school entries will be locked during
the school day with access granted only after visitors ring a bell and
identify themselves. The board also agreed to hire a full-time
administrative assistant who, in addition to other duties, will monitor a
building entry at one school.
At some schools, staff will monitor
the entrance through video cameras and audio systems; at others, personnel
will man new entrance desks that allow them to see the main entrance at all
times. Such precautions are standard in new buildings, but the district
decided to retrofit existing buildings after the school shooting at Nickel
Mines.
"Basically, we just thought it was prudent,"
Superintendent Bruce Sensenig said after the meeting. "It will be a
little bit of an inconvenience, but people have to realize it's for
safety."
In other action, the board agreed to keep the
district's contracts with its current solicitor, auditing firm and tax
collector, while reappointing member John Lorah as treasurer.
The
board also approved an annual performance, evaluation and compensation
system for support staff, although member Steve Richardson voted against
the plan. After the meeting, Richardson explained that he objected to the
employee raise component.
"With the downturn in the economy ...
it just doesn't seem fair to give 3 to 4 percent raises to some people
when others aren't getting them," he said.
Richardson said
the district's teachers were slated to receive a 3.9 percent raise this
year, but most in the private sector were expecting less or even facing
layoffs.
The board also approved a recommendation from the
superintendent to expel two high school students who violated the
district's drug policy.
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