Alabama District Improves Security at 17 Campuses
The upgrades include access control, security cameras, lighting, gates and fences, as well as solutions to reduce energy and operational costs.
DeKalb County (Alabama) Schools have partnered with Schneider Electric to install a comprehensive security solution and improve energy efficiency.
The $13 million program will make major improvements to all 17 of the district’s schools, reports WHNT. Improvements will include the installation of secure vestibules at campus entrances, better lighting, keycards, gates, fences, traffic controls, two-way audio to help screen visitors and video surveillance.
Additionally, LED lights, automated HVAC systems, building envelope sealing and water conservation methods will help conserve energy. Energy and operational costs should drop by about 29%, reports WZDX.
The district is paying for the upgrades through a capital recovery and reinvestment program with Schneider Electric that limits the need for outside funding, reports SouthernTorch.
The improvements are guaranteed to pay off the $13 million price tag. If not, they will “get a check for what is leftover,” District Superintendent Jason Barnett told WHNT.
The entire project should be done by late winter 2020.
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About the Author
Robin Hattersley, Editor-in-Chief
Robin has been covering the security and campus law enforcement industries since 1998 and is a specialist in school, university and hospital security, public safety and emergency management, as well as emerging technologies and systems integration. She joined CS in 2005 and has authored award-winning editorial on campus law enforcement and security funding, officer recruitment and retention, access control, IP video, network integration, event management, crime trends, the Clery Act, Title IX compliance, sexual assault, dating abuse, emergency communications, incident management software and more. Robin has been featured on national and local media outlets and was formerly associate editor for the trade publication Security Sales & Integration. She obtained her undergraduate degree in history from California State University, Long Beach.
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