Looking to beef up security options for the district, Trigg County’s campus could potentially have weapons detection systems installed in the near future.
During Thursday’s Board of Education meeting, Superintendent Bill Thorpe presented a working plan of five units — three at the high school, and two at the middle school — that, if purchased, would be of the mobile variety, and could be used at major campus events like basketball games, football games, graduation and the like.
A contingent of Trigg County officials, he said, will soon visit Christian County Public Schools — where they already have these $20,000-a-piece products in place. Thorpe and Director of Operations Matt Ladd said district transportation has already tested during early dismissals, on what would need to be new student bussing routes in the event these systems are acquired.
Thorpe also affirmed that a weapons detection system “is not a metal detector,” and is instead something far more calibrated for a wide variety of dangerous objects.
He and Chief Financing Officer Holly Greene also confirmed the application of a 25% matching grant up to $500,000, that, if awarded, would not only help pay for the cost of annual software upgrades — but the installation of aesthetic fencing to all open alleyways on the district’s campus. This would include the alleyway between the high school and newly-renovated CTE building, as well as several other entry points around the middle and primary schools, and Wildcat Gymnasium.
If the grant doesn’t come through, Thorpe said the spending plan would have to be re-evaluated on initial cost — and then be built out over the future.
In other school news:
— Officials closed the meeting with executive session, citing personnel reasons. Thorpe’s acceptance of the superintendent position in Marshall County was acknowledged, thus beginning the process of finding Trigg County’s next district leader. No action was taken, and Thorpe will serve Trigg County through June 30.
— Board members unanimously approved a 5% raise for the district save for classified salary schedules, which will come at a later meeting. Greene also clarified some language, noting the 5% raise will not come for substitute teaching hours and coaching stipends. Instead, the increase comes to teaching base pay and other similar rates.
— Ladd also confirmed the CTE building’s renovation is almost down to the punch list items, with teachers already moving some items into classrooms. The electric bus charging stations are “80-to-85% complete,” as well, but electric busses will not be arriving until at least August, and maybe not until December.
