Akron schools plan more security cameras
The Akron Central Board of Education on Wednesday reviewed plans for additional security cameras and access doors for the school complex under the $25 million capital project.
Juan Perez of Wendel Duchscherer Architects & Engineers said the plan calls for 25 new camera locations, to augment the existing five cameras, plus seven controlled-access doors.
He has worked with a district Security Committee that includes Superintendent Robin Zymroz and new board members Kevin Stone and Francis Dahill.
After Perez’s presentation and comments by board members it was agreed to consider:
• Adding another two camera locations, one to cover the large parking lot used by faculty and staff outside the high school and one in a cove area near the Middle School and library.
• Dropping from the plans about four or five “pan, tilt and zoom” cameras — one of which costs as much as about four “fixed” cameras — so it can add even more monitoring locations, including perhaps the new concession area and ticket booth outside the new gymnasium and the corridor outside the locker room area for the fitness center.
Stone said while pan, tilt and zoom cameras have many uses — they can zero in on a license plate, for example — “they don’t offer much of an overall view,” which might be better for some areas of the school complex.
• Tying the three cameras in the bus garage into the central system used in the school complex that includes the elementary, middle and high schools.
Board President Thomas Weeks said a district project committee is reviewing issues related to the capital project and will report to the board as needed. It includes Zymroz, treasurer Cynthia Tretter and Buildings and Grounds Superintendent William Bosinski. Other administrators, including school principals, are also having input.
In other business, the board approved a two-year contract for Susan Kovic, director of educational services, retroactive from July 1 to June 30, 2010. Annual salary is $120,000.
It also approved creation of a new social studies teaching position for grades 7 to 12 and approved hiring Ryan Donnelly for the position on a probationary basis fromSept. 1 through Aug. 31, 2011, at an annual salary of $37,600.
