For the last few years, Gayle Isaac has been Newton Community School District unofficial coordinator for emergency situations and headed up another of the safety improvement initiatives that have gone into effect.
At Monday’s board of education meeting, Isaac, the district’s business services manager, received the go-ahead to proceed with one project and to begin the final steps for another.
The board approved nearly $25,000 proposal submitted by Isaac to improve the camera and intercom systems at the entry points to each of the district’s campuses. Basics and Beyond Alternative — which already has the updated system and maintains a separate entrance from the rest of the Emerson Hough building — was the only school excluded.
“As we had told the board a couple meetings back, the technology advancements have now provided us an option to change the current cameras that the secretaries look through before they allow access of visitors,” Isaac said.
The new system provides a fisheye view of visitors, which is a vast improvement over the current model which just gives an over the top view, Isaac said. He said this new two-in-one system also provides greater audio clarity as well.
Johnson Control services in Des Moines received the contract to install the new systems, and it will be paid for through physical plant and equipment level funds. The older cameras will be placed into the buildings and the district’s own tech staff will provide those services.
Isaac’s second proposal is calling for a massive upgrade to the district’s communications system, which includes the purchase of two-way radios and an upgrade to a communications antenna.
Earlier this year, Isaac said he and Superintendent Bob Callaghan attended a multi-hazard presentation by the Federal Emergency Management Agency that warned in the case of severe situation, cell phone service is always one of the first things to go down.
FEMA suggested districts should coordinate with local first responders to develop a communication system that would be reliable and isn’t dependent on cell phones, Isaac said.
In response, Isaac said he’s been meeting with Newton Police Chief Jeff Hoebelheinrich, Jasper County Sheriff John Halferty, Jasper County Emergency Management Coordinator Jim Sparks and Ed Roach of the Jasper County 911 Commission.
“They are willing to work with us. Once we decide on the radios, they will work with us for frequencies and be able to —in case of emergency — the sheriff’s (office) will be able to access our frequencies and we can talk directly to them,” Isaac said.
No details on the number of radios or total cost for this proposal was available, but Isaac said he would present the information at the next meeting after being pressed by board member Bill Perrenoud.
The board agreed to hold a public hearing on the measure at 6:50 p.m. on Nov. 10 during its next regular meeting.
Information from its unofficial count shows the district has 2,989 students this year.
The unofficial count also shows the district providing 241 students with special education services.
A little more than 52 percent of students in the district receive free or reduced lunch services, which is a slight drop from the previous school year.
Cristy Croson, NCSD food service supervisors, informed the board she was forming a committee to develop a district-wide wellness policy, and was on the hunt for staff members to join.
A public hearing was set for 6:45 a.m. on Nov. 10 for the purchase of a new food delivery truck.
The electric and natural gas franchise fee being discussed by the Newton City Council would cost the district between $35,000 to $60,000 annually, Callaghan estimated.
Contact Ty Rushing 641-792-3121 ext. 6532 or trushing@newtondailynews.com