The School District of Niagara applied for, and was awarded, a Safety Grant of $42,177. The grant will be used to purchase a camera system that will monitor the exterior areas of the school district. These areas include the playground, parking lot, track, and football field. These locations are not visible with the district's current camera system. Due to our rural school setting there are many areas for individuals to access our district without being detected. These exterior cameras will give us more visibility of the exterior of our campus. We will also need to add interior cameras to areas that do not have coverage or camera monitoring visibility.
The purchase of large monitoring systems will be used to provide constant monitoring of the buildings and grounds. The current camera monitoring system is in the custodial office where viewing is limited and makes monitoring difficult on a continuous basis. The monitors will give administration visibility from both the district and main offices. This system will allow us to view both the elementary and middle/high school when classes are in and out of session.
We will also purchase magnetic lock systems that will give us the ability to securely keep doors closed and not allow them to be pried or "popped" open. Visitors will be buzzed and screened by a “Fish Eye” exterior camera system that also will be equipped with a microphone. This will allow us to identify visitors by first checking identification by way of camera. The system will allow for voice verification as well as visibility to our staff.
Glass film grant dollars will be used as well to install protective film to our main doorways.
Another priority for the district is to fence off the back side of our district's playground. We have an opening that leads to a parking lot where easy access to approach the district is accessible by way of foot and vehicle. By closing off the gate it restricts students access to the parking lot and it also creates a barrier for others trying to get onto our campus.
Thank you to the State of Wisconsin and the Department of Justice for their work in providing grant dollars to protect our students and staff. These safety measures will allow our staff to teach with a sense of security and our students the ability learn and focus on the curriculum to ensure a bright future.
For more information on the grants Click Here
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