Security improvements in the works for Jefferson City schools

Security improvements are still on track for Jefferson City schools.

ABC 17 News sat down with Jefferson City School Board President Dr. Dennis Nickelson.

Last summer ABC 17 reported about the new buzz-in system for West Elementary, including better doors and locks.

They also installed video cameras after an 8-year-old was taken by some of her relatives through a side door in April.

East Elementary is next on the list.

Officials have decided to use $2.5 million that would normally go to renovations. Instead, they’re taking the full amount to improve security.

Nickelson told ABC 17 they’ve already addressed one of the most important elements of the plan.

“We did a safety audit with the Jefferson City Police Department. They spent a year going through all of our schools and looked at what we needed to upgrade in terms of safety and security. One of the most important pieces is just the communication between the schools and the police department, and the parents and our staff, as well as our faculty and kids all together. That’s probably one of the primary pieces that’s most important,” said Nickelson.

After upgrading both West and South elementary schools, work is still happening for 8 other primary schools.

The district has spent nearly $200,000 just on cameras this past fall.