In this letter to the community, Superintendent Phyllis Edwards announces new safety measures being taken at Decatur schools.

Dear Parents and Community Members:

On October 11th we opened a lovely new school facility at Decatur High School. Hopefully you were able to attend the open house and see the new building. What it will offer our students is nothing short of incredible.

With the addition of a new facility comes some increased monitoring and supervision.

We have already experienced some thefts this year of equipment at DHS. We are making or have made the following changes:

• *New cameras and security system provided by Iron Sky;
• *Change of locks and entry procedures;
• *Requirement of all staff to be out of the building at a reasonable hour;
• *Review of our procedures with the city police and the alarm company;
• *A meeting with the police and assessment of the facility.

Shortly, I will announce a meeting for parents about safety. The police will be our speakers and trainers. Even though we are a small system, we are not immune from danger and illegal behavior.

I believe we are taking the appropriate steps to make our schools as safe as possible, but it is important that we all stay informed and work together.

Students who engage in behavior which is illegal will be prosecuted to the fullest extent. Doors need to remain locked and staff vigilant. We do not want an environment filled with armed officers and metal detectors, but need to understand we all pay the price when we are lenient in matters concerning student safety.

Sincerely,

Dr. Phyllis A. Edwards

Superintendent of School

Looks like Iron Sky isn’t just donating equipment to the school system.

The city commission will vote this evening on whether to accept a $147,000 donation of cameras, hardware and software necessary for the Police Department to tape and remotely monitor activity on the MARTA plaza and Decatur Square.

According to a letter from the City Manager (page 33)…

“…the MARTA Plaza was selected in order to add an additional opportunity to provide a safe environment for residents and visitors, to reduce the incidences of skateboarding and similar activities and to reduce the number of graffiti incidences.  It will also provide the opportunity to monitor and record the Church Street entrance to the Decatur MARTA Station and the sidewalk going to the bus-to-rail transfer point.”

A map attached with the City Manager’s note (page 34) shows cameras not just focused on what we typically think of as “the MARTA plaza”, but also the MARTA entrance on Church Street and the Square behind the Old Courthouse.

Thanks to Rus for pointing this out!

How’s this for in-depth reporting!  Cut and pasted straight out of the Board of Ed’s July 14th agenda…

Requested Action

Move approval of the donation from Iron Sky of new cameras and surveillance systems and services at the DHS main campus, the DHS stadium and the DHS gymnasium and auditorium.

Background

City Schools of Decatur is moving forward after accepting a gracious offer of a surveillance system from Iron Sky. The project team has met and began their work to place over 50 cameras in Decatur High School, the stadium, and planned for the gymnasium and auditorium. Camera locations and types have been carefully chosen. The DHS system is being constructed and fully tested in Houston, Texas before shipment and installation in Decatur. A firm start will be sent following that successful test. Training on the new equipment will be scheduled for late July or early August.

This offer amounts to approximjately $159,000. We have received more details from our legal team regarding this unique situation. We request that the board accept this donation from Iron Sky. A contract is not needed.

I wonder if this is a result of the recent “lockdown”.  Quite a donation!