Amherst schools get security funds

By Bob Dunn
Staff Writer

Published on November 10, 2006

School security will be getting a facelift at schools in the district, thanks in part to a grant which was recently awarded through the United States Department of Justice.

The grant program, called "Secure Our Schools," will provide $45,000 to the district to enhance school safety.

Those enhancements will begin at the high school and then be implemented at the remaining schools, according to Wendy Kohler, Executive Director of Program Development for Amherst schools.

"The high school is our largest and most complicated building," Kohler said.

The improvements include an emergency School Community Notification System, also called a "Reverse 911" system.

That system, Kohler said, would notify families whose information is in the central database of an emergency condition at their child's school.

If a school were closed due to inclement weather or an unsafe condition inside the school, families would receive an automated message via telephone with instructions and updates, Kohler said.

The Reverse 911 system has been used throughout the country to assist in the finding of missing children, facilitate the evacuation of buildings targeted by bomb threats and to make communities aware of dangerous animals on the lose, according to the company's Web site.

Deborah Carter, superintendent for Easthampton schools, said that her district installed an emergency notification system in November 2004.

"It's very useful, especially in emergency situations," Carter said.

Carter said that Easthampton uses the system for school closings, emergencies as well as to notify guardians in the event of student absences.

Carter said that the system allows families to receive accurate, official information quickly rather than through the "rumor mill." "It's way better for parents," she said.

Northampton has a telephone notification system in place, as well. It too is used to notify families in the event of closings and other emergencies. The system serves the Northampton High School and the JFK. Middle School. The elementary school does not have such a system.

In addition to the notification system, ARHS will also see improvements to their front door access and security, Kohler said.

Kohler said that the district will be looking for vendors to supply the hardware and software necessary for the new systems.

According to a statement released by the Amherst police department, the improvement programs will be in place by September of 2008.

The total cost of the programs will be $90,000, the grant provides 50% of the funds and the school district will provide the remaining 50 percent matching funds.