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Columbia Public School District improves its security systems

Students work in an AP Calculus class at Hickman high school in Columbia
Camille Phillips
/
KBIA
Students work in an AP Calculus class at Hickman high school in Columbia

New security systems are being implemented throughout the Columbia Public Schools District.

Since the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting there have been 70 school shootings nationwide. With an increase in the number of shootings, the Columbia Public Schools District decided to upgrade security measures throughout all the schools in the district.

Columbia Schools spokesperson Michelle Baumstark says the district decided to increase security after annual district meetings in which they discussed possible changes that could be made.

“As a result of those annual reviews we make improvements where we feel those are necessary,” said Baumstark. “We replace equipment as we feel is necessary and we change any procedures we feel need to be improved.”

Baumstark also said the district added 70 high definition security cameras to help identify possible dangerous situations. These cameras are an improvement from the previous cameras that only could shoot in black and white. Rock Bridge Principal Jennifer Rukstad said the improvement in camera quality has helped the school better identify threatening situations.

“Before where we knew that it was a male or female student and possibly what they were wearing,” said Rukstad. “Now with this technology we are now able to really see their face and we can do identification so much better.”

The District also upgraded alarm systems at both Rock Bridge and Hickman. It also added video intercom systems and electric locking doors at both those high schools, and at the Columbia Area Career Center. All the schools in Columbia also now have  emergency radios.

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