District 13 School Security Upgrades to Continue This Summer

More than a dozen security and safety improvements have been made at schools in Durham and Middlefield following last December's tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School and school officials said last week that more are planned this summer.

School officials are still considering their options to improve the security of portable classrooms, which exist at five of the district's six schools, including whether or not all students can be removed from the units and if fencing needs to be installed.

The Board of Education's building and grounds committee is expected to meet next month to approve a final recommendation. Costs could reach upwards of $30,000, according to Superintendent Susan Viccaro.

This summer the district plans to spend up to $65,000 — money that has already been set aside in the capital fund — to install additional security access doors and cameras at Brewster, Korn, Lyman, Memorial and Strong schools.

In addition, exterior cameras will be placed at the Coginchaug athletic field parking areas. All exterior doors will be numbered and floor plans will be updated and shared with emergency officials in both towns.

"That will become part of our crisis manual," Viccaro said. "If there is an emergency, whether it be fire, ambulance, we need to identify where we want them to come. This allows for better communication with our first responders..

Immediately following the Dec. 14 school shootings in Newtown, school officials implemented tighter security measures at all schools including requiring visitors to identify themselves at entrances and requiring staff and visitors to wear ID badges at all times.

The district also increased the frequency of fire drills and lockdown drills.

While the initial efforts have been successful, board members proposed the idea of installing signs to remind students and staff not to open doors to strangers.