Mesa schools work to beef up security with new fences, other measures

Safety at Mesa schools could be improved by adding fencing, replacing chainlink fences with wrought iron fences and relocating offices to the exteriors of campus, the districts security director told the governing board Tuesday night.

After Decembers school shooting in Newtown, Conn., the Mesa Unified School District moved up plans to do a site-by-site analysis of all the districts campuses. Al Moore, Mesas director of security, led the effort and gave the first presentation.

While noting that proper fencing will improve security, Moore also told board members that terrorist acts like what happened at Sandy Hook Elementary School would be difficult to defend against.

Someone who is intent to carry out an act that like will do it, he said.

But the district can take steps to stop opportunists who may try to harm a child in an area that either doesnt have fencing or has inadequate fencing.

I think overall what we need to do is focus first on our elementary schools. Our junior highs and high schools have SROs (school resource officers) assigned to them, he said. There are also 10 district security personnel who patrol the 51 neighborhood elementary schools, as well as the specialty campuses like the East Mesa Early Childhood Education Center.

There are seven elementary campuses where visitors have to walk onto campus to check in at the office, he said. You already passed kids and classrooms to get to the office, he told the board.

Working with staff, Moore said there have been low-cost ways identified to move the main entrance for those schools closer to the exterior.

Fencing also could be improved at the junior high and senior high schools, Moores report states.

All improvements will require funding. School Superintendent Mike Cowan said the board can access funds approved by voters in November as part of a $230 million bond package.

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Mesa schools work to beef up security with new fences, other measures