Ripley school board discusses school security

By SHIRLEY WEST


RIPLEY — According to Board of Education President Robert Bentley, two parents have approached him on the subject of school safety at Ripley Central School.

"I've had a few parents come to me about the lack of lockdown in our district," Bentley said. "In both cases, it was parents of very young children who feel we are outdated in our security."

In many area schools, such as Fredonia Central and Dunkirk High School, to enter the building a person must press a buzzer and state their name before being allowed access. These schools also have camera systems that monitor the doors so anyone who is entering is able to be seen in the offices.

"Many other schools do the same thing we do as well," Secondary Principal Susan Hammond said. "We keep a few entrances unlocked out of necessity for the community to use our building."

Interim Superintendent John Hogan encouraged concerned parents to call and talk to him about Ripley's situation.

"Even with the added security, there is no guarantee that people won't prop the doors open in order to get a breeze," Hogan said. "It becomes a continuous battle. It is also a very expensive venture."

Not only would the school have to cover the equipment cost of this kind of security system, it would also introduce another support position to the school for someone to be monitoring the cameras.

"We're not saying this is not something we shouldn't look in to, we're saying this is a safe district and we haven't had this problem as of yet," Bentley said. "But these are legitimate concerns and it is nice to have parents who are so involved in their children's lives."

In other news:

n The board held its public hearing for the proposed 2008-2009 budget without any questions from the public,

The Ripley School Board uses a budget committee system, which consists of Ted Rickenbrode of the board, Tracy Dengler-Smith, Business Executive, and any community members who wish to assist the process. The committee begins meeting in February to put together the budget and presents it to the Board of Education in April.

"We have a tremendous amount of confidence in our system," Bentley said. "It goes so smoothly each year because this committee has worked together on this for so many years."

Hogan agreed, "It is a wonderful process, it is very open and very thorough."



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