Connellsville board to take new look at security programs
CONNELLSVILLE – An after-hours school intrusion has prompted district officials to take another look at its in-place security measures. On Wednesday, the Connellsville Area School District board of directors moved to solicit bids for digital recording equipment for placement at the two junior high schools and at the senior high school.
The upgraded equipment would be used in conjunction with surveillance cameras now stationed at the three buildings.
The newer system would lessen the amount of time spent reviewing tapes and allow a quicker response time when needed, said Charles Matthews, district director of security.
“It definitely was another wake-up call,” he said earlier.
Last week, Eric P. Jensen entered a rear door of the senior high school and made his way through the building to the girls’ locker room.
Although the school’s baseball team was utilizing the building at the time of the incident, Jensen, 19, did not have permission to be on school property.
School custodians found him several hours later hiding in ductwork overlooking the locker room.
During a preliminary hearing held Wednesday, Jensen tentatively agreed to plead guilty to charges of disorderly conduct and defiant trespass in exchange for police withdrawing felony charges of burglary and criminal trespass initially lodged by investigating officers after the March 3 incident.
Since the Columbine High School murders in April 1999, Connellsville has implemented numerous security measures at all its buildings. The measures were further enhanced after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
Doors are kept locked at elementary schools and visitors are required to identify themselves before entering the facilities. Electronic visual equipment also allows school personnel to view entrances and exits throughout the day.
At the high school, gates keep traffic flow limited to a single artery and security personnel check credentials before visitors are permitted to enter the building.
Everyone is required to register at school offices to garner permission to travel through the site during regular school hours.
After high school students depart, however, security is relaxed to accommodate sport team practices, organization meetings or school related gatherings.
“We always have security for events, but we really never had it for normal, everyday (team) practices,” said Matthews.
“During the last few weeks of practice for the musical, we did have someone at the school; the kids we’re leaving late and we wanted to make sure everyone got out alright.”
Generally, he said, security staff remains at the high school until 5:30 p.m. when most activities are concluded and participants depart the building.
“At that point, we pretty much lock most of the school down,” he said. “We have gates that are lowered that keep (teams and visitors) restricted to certain areas; custodians help out, too, by checking students they find in areas where they shouldn’t be.”
But with the security system being breached by Jensen, Matthews foresees more stringent measures being taken to insure the safety of those in the school buildings.
Already, additional security has been scheduled for duty for after school activities.
He is also scrutinizing the 60-plus doors at the high school that because of age, occasionally do not shut or lock properly when entered or exited.
Board member Chip Nicholson suggested that those utilizing the buildings after hours be required to sign a log-in sheet and notify the on-duty personnel their reason for being at the school.
“We’re not in a lock-down mode, but it is different than before,” said board member Charles Wilson. “We are going to be more interested in keeping these buildings safe, rather than the cost (for security improvements). We can’t let this happen again.”
Matthews, meanwhile, said he plans to review security at all buildings and solicit input from building principals and others before finalizing a revamped security plan for board review.