Security cameras and buzzer systems will be installed at all Waterloo Region elementary schools this year as school boards look to improve student safety.
At the Waterloo Region District School Board, officials say 103 of 104 elementary schools are in need of new or upgraded security systems.
“We’re moving now into the purchasing of equipment, and as we hit the fall we’ll move into installing that equipment in our schools,” says Graham Shantz, the board’s assistant superintendent of human resources.
The WRDSB has budgeted $300,000 of its own money for the project, in addition to $320,000 provided by the province.
The Waterloo Catholic District School Board won’t be installing any security systems of its own this year – but that’s because it’s already brought in similar systems, with the last five schools seeing buzzers implemented last year.
“We’ve got about a third the number of schools, so there were a lot less to do,” says chief managing officer John Shewchuk.
The systems work similar to those in place at many apartment buildings, allowing school staff the ability to monitor and control entrances to the facility.
“A visitor to the school will be able to approach the front door and press a buzzer,” says Shantz.
“Someone in the main office will be able to communicate with that individual and unlock the door to allow the individual to enter the site.”
Similar systems aren’t planned for local high schools, given the high number of people entering and leaving the school at any time.
“It’s darn near impossible to have a program like this in place at a secondary school,” says Shewchuk.
“There are just too many comings and goings.”
The WRDSB hopes to have all its new security systems in place by the end of the year.
