Staff report
Thanks to a federal grant, the Rowan-Salisbury School System could soon install digital surveillance cameras at Knox Middle and Salisbury High schools.
The school system is receiving a $500,000 grant for the project from the U.S. Department of Justice COPS (Community Oriented Policing Services) Secure Our Schools program.
The grant is a joint effort between the Rowan-Salisbury School System, the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office and the city of Salisbury.
“I am elated to be working in partnership with our local law enforcement officials to implement these safety measures in our school system,” said Gene Miller, assistant superintendent of operations.
The need to provide visual surveillance systems in all schools to deter violence and vandalism is a high priority for the system, officials have said.
Carson High School, the newest high school, is the only school in the district protected by a fully functioning video surveillance system. All schools and central office locations have security alarms and Henderson High School has three metal detectors at the entrances to its building.
The school system did not have enough money to install comprehensive video surveillance systems in all schools.
Depending on bids received, other high schools will be added as funds permit.
The Secure Our Schools grant is a matching fund grant and will allow the school system to double the amount of funds to be used for school safety and security initiatives this school year.
Bids for the Knox Middle and Salisbury High projects will be received this month. The grant may be sufficient to equip five more high schools in line to receive security equipment: Henderson, North Rowan, South Rowan, East Rowan and West Rowan.
The goal of the Rowan-Salisbury School System is to install video surveillance systems in 34 of the 35 schools that are located on school-owned property. The newly opened Rowan County Early College is housed on the campus of Rowan Cabarrus Community College.
For more information on the Save Our Schools grant, contact Miller at 704-630-6002.