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Athens Board Votes for New Security System and New Principal
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The Athens School Board voted to install a new security system for the upcoming year. The board met Wednesday night and voted 5-0 to put the plan into action. The district will work with Johnson Controls to install a heightened security system for the schools in the district.
"We determined a few months back that putting electronic locks at each school was a good idea to enhance our school safety." Superintendent Carl Martin said. Martin said that the board has been researching different possibilities for improving the security system.
"I think as most schools in the country shortly after the Sandy Hook shooting incident is when those discussions actually began." Martin said.
The security system focuses on organizing traffic coming in and out of the school by only allowing visitors to enter through the front door. Attendants will use a security camera and intercom system to buzz people into the school. Electronic locks will also be placed on the schools' doors.
The money for the new security system came from the district's Permanent Improvement Fund, a fund set aside for school improvement.
The money for the new security system came from the district's Permanent Improvement Fund, a fund set aside for school improvement.
The construction of the system is expected to begin this school year and be fully in place before the beginning of the school year next year. The board is also researching a second-step to the plan to expand the possibilities of the system.
During the meeting, the school board also decided on West Elementary's new principal for the upcoming school year. Andrea Bobo will take the place of retiring principal Joan Linscott August 1.
Bobo has taught as a special education teacher in the Athens School District for 7 years and has been an educator for 13 years. She is currently a second grade teacher at The Plaines Elementary.
"She's a wonderful young lady." Martin said of Bobo, "I'm sure that she will continue the great tradition that West has."