And now, another idea for security at school

CORNWALL — In the ongoing debate over security at Cornwall Consolidated School, the Board of Education will wait another month to consider the options.

A look at a plan to lock the front doors has led to a look at the bigger picture. A re-keying or upgrade to door locks around the school is proposed.

As the school year began, new Principal Robert Vaughan investigated what procedures are in place in Cornwall and at other Region One schools. Following the trend around the six-town district, he proposed using a buzz-in system or other security measures to control who enters during the school day.

He did not anticipate the firestorm of opinion that followed. School staff was divided on the issue. Parents have engaged in impassioned debates at board and PTA meetings since. Those who are for security say its time has come. Those against say it flies in the face of the safe community that defines Cornwall, and will teach their children to live in fear.

Over the months of discussion, it came to light that the last time locks were changed at the school was probably during the 1991 renovation. As with any public building, not all keys that are handed out to staff and other qualifying individuals are returned. It’s just good practice to regularly go back to square one on the key list.

Another trend in the region is to use electronic key fobs instead of standard locks and keys. It costs thousands of dollars more than re-keying, but eliminates future costs and loss of security. Fobs can be immediately and remotely reprogrammed, or disabled, as needed.

Vaughan told the school board at its April 22 meeting that he has estimates of $4,500 to $6,500 for a traditional re-keying.

Key fobs and electronic locks will run about $22,000 according to one estimate. He is hoping to have more estimates and a solid proposal regarding that and other security measures to bring to the board’s May 20 meeting.