Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/194514
Sarasota News Leader October 18, 2013 the replacement of the shorter fences and put in electronic locking systems at those school without them. That way, no one can walk into student areas from the central access point unless a staff member authorizes that entry, he said. Page 49 Regarding cameras, he pointed out that the district has built up an inventory of about 3,500 digital cameras that are on a regular replacement cycle. "We take it real seriously," he said of making sure the equipment is in good condition, adding that each camera is checked on a daily basis. "It's incredibly cumbersome and problematic When Goodwin asked how many are replaced because of the types of schools that were preeach year, he told her the number was less viously built," Todd added of the situation. than 200. "There's really not a lot that goes wrong with them." "Very problematic," Reyka concurred. A couple of weeks ago, Todd said, as part of her work, she visited other Florida schools for the purpose of observing classes. At one school, she said, she was given complete access to the campus just by showing her university ID. "I was shocked," she told her colleagues. Yet another situation that needs attention, Reyka explained, is the lack of electronic gates in service areas. Some schools have gates that must be locked after an employee has opened them and driven onto part of the campus. That creates the potential for the employee to forget to lock the gate. Lightning strikes and pressure-washing are the two primary sources of damage to them, he added. The district also has about 800 UHF radios that staff utilizes on a daily basis, he noted, as well as 350 800MHz radios on its school buses and in many support vehicles. Those can communicate with the county's 911 call center and with the Emergency Management Division staff for the county. All of those already are compliant with a new national standard called "P25," he noted — the type of system the County Commission has been discussing purchasing to replace its outdated emergency communications radios. % Friday, October 25 THANK sponsors! YOU to our generous Michael's on East 9pm - 1am TICKETS ON SALE NOW! safesexhalloweenbash.com by phone: 941.365.3913 x1124 to benefit Planned Parenthood's sexual health and prevention education programs