[Ma-pta-enotes] A message from the principal

[ma-pta-enotes at listserv.seq.org]

For Your Information

Each of the major television stations have been on campus regarding an item that was on the school  board agenda last night.  The item was for the approval of a construction project and authorization to advertise bids for video security.  The situation, as described in the board docc:  "It has been a long-term district goal to be able to monitor campuses with video security.  Given the recent events across the country, it seems prudent to move forward at this time.  There have been some preliminary installations at Menlo-Atherton that have proven successful, and staff recommmends expanding security surveillance to all sites."

We have had equipment here for several years but, for many reasons, has not been utilized.  The board approved the expenditure of $125,000 from bond funds per site for this use.  

The district will be in a bidding process and then there will need to be installation and training.  When we are prepared to give full details and, in fact, know that our systems work we will give up-to-date info to our school community prior to implementing the technology.

There are currently ten cameras around the perimeter of the school with only two operable.  None are being used for survellance at this time.

These cameras can help us as a preventative measure (maybe think twice before causing damage to the school or another persib) and as evidence should we have a problem on campus, especially at night or on the weekends.  It is also hoped that we can have the ability to view live the ten areas of campus at any time from our computers should the need arise to quickly check out  an area for potential trouble.

If you have any questions or concerns, don't hesitate to let me know.

Thanks,
Denise Plante, Principal
Menlo-Atherton High School