Heights Seeks State Money Towards Future School Security Upgrades

Hasbrouck Heights Board of Education is taking the very first step towards further security enhancements at its two elementary schools by seeking some financial help from the state. 

The Board plans to apply for a state ROD grant towards a facility improvement project to relocate the main offices to the first floor and add a new intercom system at Euclid and Lincoln School.

Thursday night the Board gave E.I. Associates the go ahead to draw up the plans - at the cost of $2,500 per school - which will then be sent to the state to see if the district qualifies for the grant. 

Dina Messery, business administrator says finding out if the district qualifies is the first step. If the Board does qualify for funding it will then have to seek approval from the public by way of voter referendum.

The grant would reimburse the district for roughly 20 percent of the project cost, said Messery. 

The district previously got the okay for this type of grant years ago for facility improvements which included new windows and roof replacements, she explained.   

Making security enhancements is an ongoing process and the district is trying to find the most cost-effective ways to make more enhancements, said Messery. 

Last month the Board gave the okay for a School Resource Officer to be stationed at the middle school/high school and the police department will add more of a police presence at the two elementary schools as well. 

Messery said she does not have a time frame for how soon the district would learn whether or not it does qualify for the grant.

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