The Alexander County School System is receiving $98,000 to improve safety in local schools. This funding is provided by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction's Center for Safe Schools School Safety Grant Program.
According to a letter sent by Center for Safer Schools Executive Director Karen W. Fairley to ACS Superintendent Dr. Jennifer Hefner, the grant will provide the following upgrades:
• Panic Pull Stations: $72,000 to equip four old school buildings with panic button pull stations. Location: His 20-place pull station at Alexander Central High School ($24,000). 10 pull stations at Stony Point Elementary School ($16,000); 10 pull stations at East Alexander Middle School ($16,000); 10 pull stations at Sugarloaf Elementary School ($16,000)
• Security System Upgrades: $15,000 to replace the burglar alarm system in the school building that needs to be upgraded. Location: Wittenburg Elementary School – The original alarm system installed when the building was constructed in 1999 is still in use.
• Window screens: $11,000 to install vinyl window screens at two schools. Location: Stony Point Elementary School – Large front glass windows with screens installed ($5,400). West Alexander Middle School – Rear large glass window/door/bus passenger entrance window screen ($5,600).
