Kingston district aims to beef up security
The Board of Education is considering a proposal to create separate visitor entrances and secure vestibules at the Kingston school district’s seven elementary schools and two middle schools.
Architectural consultant Armand Quadrini told the board at its most recent meeting that the project — which would be paid for with funding already approved by district voters — would include the installation of new doors and bankstyle security windows that have bullet-resistant glass, and that adjacent exterior windows also would be replaced.
“It allows our greeter or administrative assistant to engage with the visitor [for identification], and then they’re buzzed out of the secure vestibule into the school,” Quadrini said.
“The idea is to create additional time if there is a person in our secure vestibule that shouldn’t be there or that is inappropriately trying to gain access to the school,” he said.
Quadrini said the vestibules would have floor-toceiling non-masonry walls that also would be bulletresistant.
Each building’s existing office or lobby area would be renovated to accommodate the secure vestibule.
“The way these schools were designed ... a super large admin common office with a big floating reception desk was the way that it was done,” Quadrini said.
“In all of the [renovation] plans, the greeter has a retreat path back into the school,” he said. “So if there’s a person in the vestibule that shouldn’t be there ... the greeter is able to retreat into the interior of the school.”
The proposal also calls for surveillance cameras and related security equipment for administrative offices; and remote-controlled electronic locks to speed the implementation of a school lockdown.
The work would be paid for with money from the Smart Schools Bond Act approved by Kingston school district voters in 2014. The cost of the work is tentatively expected to be $4 million, but up to $5.3 million from the bond act is available for it.
Kingston High School is not included in the proposal because safety upgrades there are part of an ongoing expansion and renovation project.
The district is accepting online comments about the proposal at bit.ly/kcsdsafety.