Joplin School Board discusses school safety - KOAM TV 7

Joplin School Board discusses school safety

Posted January 22, 2013 at 6:00 PM CST:  The Joplin School Board of Education hosted a public follow-up meeting Tuesday afternoon on ideas for improving school safety.

The board is expected to vote whether or not to approve a $45,000 bid to install surveillance cameras at the freshman-sophomore campus at Joplin High School.  It's one of several ideas discussed at last weeks meeting.

Areas of weakness in the schools security plan were also identified, including some doors that can't be locked from the inside and the main office can't see the entrance in some places in a number of schools in the district.

The main thing the board wants to do next is put in duress buttons in the principal's and secretary's offices.  Officials say that would cost about $3,000 to install and they hope to have them put in within the next two or three months.

Updated at 6:11 PM CST:  School officials tell us the board approved the $45,000 bid to install surveillance cameras at the freshman-sophomore campus.