Schools

After Sandy Hook, Riverhead Schools Crack Down on Security

Riverhead schools will receive security upgrades to enhance student safety, Nancy Carney said.

After the Newtown tragedy, when 20 small children were shot down at the Sandy Hook Elementary School, the Riverhead School district has cracked down on security.

Superintendent Nancy Carney said at Tuesday's board of education meeting that the district has been involved in ongoing work on an updated security plan, meeting with local law enforcement and town officials.

The Town of Southampton, Carney said, has been "amazing" in working with the Phillips Avenue Elementary School; district members have traveled to Stony Brook for updates on security measures. And, Carney said, the Riverhead police department has been invaluable in working with the district on enhanced communication between law enforcement and the schools.

Some of the measures under review, Carney said, include making sure the district's analog recorders work digitally. In addition, she said, there is live camera monitoring from the computer in her office. "I can see what's happening in every school," Carney said.

A total of over 25 cameras have been placed in the elementary schools, she said, with more in the middle and high school. 

Planned security upgrades include smart keys, so keys can be tracked and district officials can know exactly who is entering every room. "If someone loses a key, we can deactivate it," Carney said. 

Another planned upgrade is to place safety film over all the exterior doors on the schools, to make them shatter-resistant.

Carney thanked the district's security team. "Nothing is more important than the safety of our students," she said.

Some of the security upgrades were made possible after an influx of additional state aid. While most was used to reduce the tax levy, some was allocated toward additional security and other programs, Carney said.


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