Shawnee Dispatch

A $223 million bond issue was approved by voters only a couple of weeks ago, but the Shawnee Mission school district isn’t wasting any time in kicking off the use of funds for one of their main intended purposes: improving district safety and security.

During a special meeting Monday, Shawnee Mission school board members approved the first purchase out of the bond issue for security cameras, cabling and electronic door hardware to be installed at all five of the district’s high schools. The contract with Sirius includes a purchase amount not to exceed $1,996,251.

Getting the high schools outfitted with better security equipment is the second phase of the district’s plans to ultimately implement new security systems at all district buildings.

Work at each of the five high schools, including Shawnee Mission Northwest and Shawnee Mission North, will include the following:

• Replacing the current analog cameras with digital, as well as adding additional digital cameras at certain locations.

• Providing and installing new servers and switches at each of the five locations.

• Replacing and adding electronic door controls at each of the five locations.

• Installing new cabling for the CCTV security and electronic door access control systems.

• Providing software programs and necessary licenses to control the CCTV cameras and door access controls.

John Douglass, director of safety and security, said the work would take place this summer.

“I would say that we’re very grateful to the people who passed the bond and it is a strong indication that we’re on the right track,” he said following the meeting. "And we’re hopeful to be able to carry out all the things that we promised when we asked for it.”