Clearwater To Upgrade Security Systems

The Clearwater Advisory Board discussed entry access to the school during its monthly meeting on Monday.
The board discussed entrance with a key card for the use of the school and weight room instead of using a traditional key. The project was unanimously approved to use Fire Protection Services of Omaha, Neb. to move forward with the project with details to follow. The project is estimated to cost around $4,800 for the multipurpose door and weight room key access or $11,000 for all outside doors to have key card access.

Principal Mike Sanne said wiring and software are the biggest expense.

Brian King, vice president of the board, said, “One nice thing about this is if there’s a fire we know who’s not there and you know who to look for, that’s a big security thing.”

The proposed idea is to charge $100 per year for a key to receive access to the school and weight room where a liability waiver would be signed and some restrictions placed.

Amy Thiele, president of the board, said giving others access is another way to give back to the community.

“The thoughts behind this key system was to put a charge for the weight room for the key which makes people more responsible,” she said. “The money could then be used to upgrade some of the weight room equipment.”

Tom Thiele eventually voted in favor of the project but shared some concerns during the meeting.

“I’m not even sure I’m even in favor of charging people. Taxpayers already own the building. If we do this, let’s do this without a charge,” he said.

The board also agreed that there are enough people that would like to see this key access system as a benefit for the community and school. The next Clearwater Advisory Board meeting is set to be June 5.