School security, including 100 cameras, part of grant

 Deputy School Superintendent Jake Buchanan presented the Jackson County Board of Education on Feb. 27 with a plan for more than 100 new security cameras installed in county schools.

A grant for school security was awarded to Jackson County by the N.C. Department of Public Instruction.

“When we received this grant in previous years, it was usually around $15,000-20,000,” Buchanan said. “But, when we saw the amount that the legislature had put into the budget, which was much more than it has ever been, we actually submitted a grant for a much larger amount of money.”

The grant equals $278,410, which the school system will apply in several different ways.

“The grant covers three areas, two of which are related to mental health services for our students, and then the third for technology, specifically for cameras,” Buchanan said.

Services for students in crisis will receive $45,000 and individual training for school safety will be allocated just under $10,000. All remaining grant funds will be put towards the purchasing of security cameras for Jackson County Schools.

“What this will do is allow us to replace and update some of our older cameras, and even more importantly, it will allow us to install over 100 cameras in locations that we have never had cameras in before,” Buchanan said.

Concerns have been raised about areas in and around Jackson County Schools that are not covered by security cameras. Safety walk-throughs are regularly conducted in local schools to pinpoint the issues.

The walk-throughs involve staff such as the Jackson County manager, Emergency Management Director Todd Dillard, Harris Regional Hospital EMS Manager Matthew Burrell, Sheriff’s Office representative Jamie Ashe, Fire Marshal Michael Forbis, the School Resource Officer at each school and the respective administrative team.

“We’re excited to have this grant,” Buchanan said. “We will go through the full RFP process, so we’re asking permission to spend up to that amount, knowing that the RFP process to actually get the bids will come in under that amount.”

The funds will allow Jackson County Schools to have multiple layers of security, further advocating for the safety of students while on campus, he said.

Safety initiatives

The N.C. General Assembly has designated $35 million to the funding of school safety grants. Operated by the N.C. Department of Public Instructions, $26.9 million was given to public school districts and over $8 million was given to state charter schools.

“We are asking permission to spend up to $223,557 for security cameras from this grant,” Buchanan said.

The board unanimously agreed to move forward. No local match is required for the funding.

Summer testing

Testing Coordinator Adam Holt presented an approval for the 2024 Summer Testing Program for Jackson County Schools.

“Students in grades 3-8 who are non-proficient on their EOG in math or reading love the opportunity to participate in our JCPS Summer Testing Program,” Holt said. “The purpose of this program will be to provide student remediation and then a second opportunity to complete the EOG in math or reading.”

Instruction will be provided on June 3-5, followed by their assessment on Thursday, June 6.

“We are also offering state required ‘Read to Achieve’ summer reading camp for second- and third-graders who meet the requirements for an invitation and a program for exceptional children,” Holt said. “These programs will run June 3-20, Monday through Thursday, from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.”

The programs were also approved by unanimous decision of the board.

Corcoran is a Sylva Herald intern.