By SUSAN RUMBLE

Special to The Press

The Parkland School Board has approved a quote of $338,324 from Oak Security Group for a product which enables all doors to be locked from inside a classroom or office.

The supplier from Indianapolis, Ind. says it is the “the sole source vendor” for the locks, which are “a unique and valuable solution” for classroom security.

At the Dec. 11, 2023, committee meeting, Dr. Anthony Naradko, director of safety, security, and school services, reported an inventory was taken across the district to determine need.

There are 722 locks in district buildings. Some of the newer schools already have internal locks.

The new locks will be installed starting at the elementary level in the older buildings, then move on to the middle schools and high school.

Naradko said it will take approximately two years to install all the new locks, which can be unlocked from the outside with a key.

In another matter, the board approved purchase of seven security cameras and surface mounts from The Wire Guys Security, Emmaus, at a cost of $14,662.

The district technology department will install the cameras at the high school and Ironton, Kratzer, Kernsville and Schnecksville elementary schools.

Naradko said the additional cameras are needed to address security based vulnerabilities.