READING, Pa. – Reading Schools will be spending approximately $400,000 to upgrade their security equipment and increase the number of guard personnel patrolling campuses.
The long-range plan presented by the district’s new security director Ray Albert will provide for the hiring of 27 additional security guards and installation of more surveillance cameras. School lighting will be improved, along with the district’s exiting security systems.
Cameras will be upgraded from analog to digital and could be in place as early as September. Security guards will also be allowed to give more input regarding the punishment of students.
The move was prompted by several incidents in the spring, including the attack of two teachers and the theft of several cell phones and three laptop computers.
Although the spending increase still needs to be approved by the school board, the move has wide support among board members.
