Prince Frederick, MD – The Calvert County Commissioners and Superintendent of Schools Dr. Daniel Curry (pictured, right) conducted a work session Tuesday, March 13 for the purpose of addressing the public’s call for added security measures in the county’s two dozen school buildings. The discussion follows two public meetings where parents and teachers—reacting to a deadly Valentine’s Day school shooting in Florida—characterized the facilities as vulnerable. Late last month the commissioners indicated their intention to help the Calvert County Board of Education (BOE) fund the security enhancements, additionally challenging the school board to match the allocation. Maryland Governor Larry Hogan [R] has also stated funds from Annapolis for security devices will also be earmarked for Maryland’s 24 school systems.
Stating that he did not believe it was wise to discuss on camera “specific schools and specific vulnerabilities,” Curry did divulge that Calvert County Public Schools (CCPS) did receive state funds for school security measures following the 2012 tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut. Components funded by that allocation locking and buzzing devices at school entrances, electronic badges for authorized personnel and shatterproof interior glass. Curry stated that currently the school system is making “vestibule improvements” a priority, adding that “it improves your perimeter.” The school system has $550,000 budgeted for the vestibule improvements. Other changes in the pipeline include security cameras at all middle and high schools, and $1.8 million in classroom improvements. Curry indicated all of these changes were in the design phase and that money from an insurance rebate would be used to help fund the projects.
Commissioners’ President Evan K. Slaughenhoupt Jr. [R – District 3] (pictured, left) said that the Hogan Administration is going to do a statewide study on school safety. Curry indicated he would welcome any recommendations from the state’s school safety experts. Additional opinions from Calvert County Government’s consulting architects would also be welcome by CCPS administrators, the superintendent indicated. Curry did affirm that “solutions have to be properly approved.” The superintendent added his hope that funds for school security don’t compromise any allocations for enhanced classroom education.
While he agreed that the security plan would take time to properly implement, Commissioner Mike Hart [R – District 1] stated that after listening to the concerned teachers and parents at the two public meetings, he believes there are some “immediate needs” and some “common sense things” that can be done in the schools to allay fears. Hart stated that Calvert was “behind in training” and needed to add drills that are being conducted in several other Maryland school systems. Commissioners’ Vice President Tom Hejl [R – At large] said when he was the county’s assistant sheriff, the agency tried for several years to get CCPS to allow deputies to conduct active shooter drills at the schools. Curry stated that CCPS would be open to increasing the number of safety officers at schools.
Hejl made the motion to schedule a public hearing on a proposed $2 million allocation for CCPS for additional school safety measures. The funds would come from the current fiscal year budget.
Contact Marty Madden at marty.madden@thebaynet.com