Local News
City high school receives homeland security grant
EDMOND — Edmond is one of 10 state public school districts awarded a $25,000 grant from the Oklahoma Office of Homeland Security to help improve school security.
The grant, written primarily by District Safety Coordinator Jim Rothrock, has been funded by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
“The grant money will be used to build a secure entrance system at Santa Fe High School,” said Associate Superintendent of District Operations Bret Towne. “Once school begins the front lobby will be able to shut down and students or visitors entering the building will be funneled through the main office.”
The grant award will be used to fund modifications to secure hallways that run east and west of the main office and to route traffic after the school day begins and ends through the main office.
Besides installation of securable doorways to hallways from the foyer, an exit from the office (located beyond the east side secured entrance) will be placed at the east end of the main office receiving area.
“Once school begins the front lobby will be able to shut down and students or visitors entering the building will be funneled through the main office,” he said.
This summer the district plans to spend $950,000 of the 2009 bond money to build perimeter security fencing and place two gate houses and parking lot attendants at each school. The project is scheduled to be completed by the start of the 2009-10 school year.
This is the second grant program through OKOHS to provide U.S. Department of Homeland Security funding to secondary schools. In 2006, five elementary schools each received $10,000 grants to improve security at their schools.
“Protecting Oklahoma’s future is very important to our office,” said Kerry Pettingill, Oklahoma Homeland Security director. “Budgets are tight for schools across our state and administrators have to prioritize their needs. We know that a safe environment will only serve to promote the learning process, which is why we have created the Education Grant Program.”
Part of the requirements for the 2008 Education Grant Program included each district conducting a security assessment that was reviewed by a peer review panel to determine the 10 grant recipients.
Schools from all across the state have had the opportunity to engage in the process of protecting their students, to receive training and to form relationships with local law enforcement to better prepare school officials to prioritize security needs, Pettingill said.
Rothrock and Edmond Superintendent David Goin received the grant Friday at the Blue Room of the Governor’s office.
- Local News
-
-
2-9 Where to Vote: Polling Precincts
Polls will be open for the Edmond Public Schools Board of Education District 5 election from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. today, but other voting options are available.
The Oklahoma County and Logan County election boards can accept absentee ballots until the close of polling stations. -
Edmond bank agrees to improve policies, practices
State and federal regulators have given an Edmond bank a deadline for submitting a written plan to strengthen oversight of bank management and operations.
-
Governor’s race brings in Edmond cash
Fervor for the 2010 gubernatorial race is bringing in a flood of money for political action committees.
-
Panel tables county jail issue
An advisory panel Friday rejected a recommendation calling for county commissioners to pursue a new estimated $330 million jail, then voted to revisit the issue at a later date.
- 2-6 Rescued animals
-
Ex-Quest CEO pleads to false certification
A former Quest CEO admitted he failed to disclose his unlawful diversion of $10 million in SEC filings, U.S. Attorney Sanford Coats announced Friday.
-
McLinn graduates basic
Air Force Airman 1st Class Kory D. McLinn graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.
-
Edmond Baha’i to support imprisoned leaders
A special devotional gathering is slated for Sunday at 10 a.m. at the Edmond Baha’i Center, 321 East Campbell Drive, just west of the University of Central Oklahoma clock tower.
-
2-6 Calendar
Edmond community events
6 SATURDAY
A University of Central Oklahoma student will claim the title of Miss Black UCO at 7 p.m. in the UCO Mitchell Hall Theater. Sponsored by the Multicultural Student Services and the Black Student Association, the pageant awards the winner a $1,600 scholarship and gift basket, the first runner up an $800 scholarship and the second runner up a $600 scholarship. -
2-6 Calendar: Edmond senior center
Monday
10 a.m.: Advisory Committee Meeting
1 p.m.: *Beginning Tap
2:15 p.m.: *Jazzercise Lite - More Local News Headlines
-
2-9 Where to Vote: Polling Precincts
