New York’s Ithaca City School District announced the details of a major security upgrade that it’s undertaking with the help of a state grant.
The upgrade will focus on improving and adding security technology equipment in areas such as access control, according to ithacavoice.com.
The district’s current access control system uses traditional locks and keys, which makes granting and rescinding access to certain entry points difficult.
The new system, which will predominantly be installed in main access routes, will use electronic locks and card readers to customize access levels for each staff member. District officials also noted that the new locking system will help first responders who need to enter buildings quickly.
The district also plans on using the grant money to add video surveillance cameras to school buildings and to replace older cameras. The camera feeds could be accessed by local police and fire departments if necessary.
The new video surveillance system is estimated to cost $800,000, while the access control system will cost approximately $1.7 million.
The grant is part of the Smart School Bonds Act, which is a statewide investment program to help schools improve educational technology and infrastructure. The act was passed in 2014.
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