By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
As technology improves, so too, can schools' ability to protect students. At Monday's USD 428 Board of Education meeting, District Support Specialist Cody Cale showed members the difference between current low-resolution cameras and the ability of new Verkada cameras that have been installed at the Support Services Building. Assistant Superintendent John Popp and the district's Safety Committee continue plans to put the new cameras in Great Bend High School.
"Principals currently will hear about a situation, and you try to find a kid somewhere between this time frame, and you try to follow them from this camera to that camera," Popp said. "It takes hours of scrubbing back and forth to find the kids. This has facial recognition that can find it for you and show you where the kid has been."
The new cameras capture a wider angle of locations, can zoom in at high resolution, and can record sound. Software for the cameras allows staff to search by clothing color or use facial recognition to search or create alerts for unwanted persons on a property. All the district cameras would be accessed with one login, and a link to a camera can be shared with first responders to allow them real-time viewing of an area.
The board welcomed new members Randy Wetzel, Karen Lindberg, and Sara Williams for their first official meeting Monday. Williams is pleased with the new camera capabilities.
"I love the proactive element to this," she said. "Usually, we use video after something has already happened and we're going back and reviewing it. The fact that this has alerts like that is just outstanding."
Purchasing Verkada cameras for Great Bend High School would cost the district $222,794. The district does receive a Safe Schools grant of $100,000 each year. Popp said discussion continues on whether the district can afford to buy all the cameras at one time or if another purchase will be made with next year's grant.