District spends over $1.7M for security
Software, cameras, personnel now all in place after June announcement
The Oxford school district is now heavily invested in the security of its students.
Back in June the district announced a list of additional security measures following a school shooting last fall. Those measures are all now in place.
The price tag for those additional measures is $1.7 million.
The largest expense at a cost of $1.1 million was for a districtwide mass notification system that will provide both audio and visual alerts when activated.
A new third-party security team from Eternal Security services is in place at an average monthly cost of $55,000.
An ammunition and weapons detection dog was trained and brought in for $10,000. The dog is available for all buildings in the district.
The high school is now a pilot site for Evolv Express touchless security. The system uses artificial intelligence to detect threats without requiring students to empty bags or backpacks. The high school’s three units are provided for free over the next three years.
Two new units have been installed at Oxford middle school at a cost of $185,400.
In April, the high school brought in ZeroEyes technology security company to enhance its camera security system as part of a free pilot program. The program uses artificial intelligence to identify guns that can be seen on security cameras.
The district is now paying $142,500 for three years for ZeroEyes.
Oxford has also installed student monitoring software.
GoGuardian software monitors downloaded information and images students search and save when using the district network and devices. The platform uses artificial intelligence to monitor these activities
and flags incidents based on specific content.
When student activities are flagged as inappropriate, a district point of contact is notified and is responsible to follow up with the incident with the student’s building administrator or counseling team.
The GoGuardian software cost Oxford $159,705 for a five-year license.
Gaggle software also utilizes artificial intelligence to monitor student activity that is created or outgoing on district networks or devices, such as student essays, class assignments, email and chat platforms.
When student activities are flagged as inappropriate, a Gaggle staff person reviews the information and categorizes the student activity as containing “Questionable Content” (QCON) or as a “Possible Student Situation” (PSS).
The district currently has three teams of staff that include mental health professionals who are responsible for responding to Gaggle alerts.
Gaggle student software surveillance: $83,019 for two years
“Oxford Community Schools is committed to incorporating the latest and best safety technology in our buildings to help protect our students and staff,” said Todd Barlass, Oxford schools executive director of student services and wellness. “GoGuardian and Gaggle monitor student use of district-issued technology and student use of district network services. The district has communicated to students, staff, and families that these two platforms help protect our students and staff.”
Students will continue to be trained in using the state’s “OK2Say” anonymous reporting system and teachers will continue to receive training in mental health evaluation and threat assessments.
According to Sam Barna, Oxford schools assistant superintendent of business and maintenance, the funding for safety and security expenses has come from various grants as well as Project Serv and Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSER) grants, all of which funnel into the district general fund.