West Elementary making campus safety upgrades with new security cameras

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West Elementary (Cullman Tribune file photo)

CULLMAN, Ala. – West Elementary School made some upgrades to its campus safety this month, thanks to grant funds that allowed the Cullman City Schools campus to add new security cameras.

The security cameras were purchased with Title IV community grant funds, and Principal Dr. Jay Page said he believes the new tech will help serve as a deterrent while providing a sense of security for parents.

“Ultimately, we want a learning environment where students feel safe and can thrive,” Page explained. “We want their focus on growing and learning, and we feel integrating these cameras into our other safety procedures will help make that even easier.”

The security cameras are being incorporated into the school’s existing safety plan. Page noted the school system has a great working relationship with the City of Cullman and Cullman Police Department, with school resource officers on campus during school hours. School staff has also been trained for emergencies, a standard procedure across all campuses.

“The addition of the cameras, along with our other safety measures, will help provide a safe learning environment for our students, faculty and staff,” Page said.

Page went on to thank Cullman City Schools Federal Programs Director Jackie Kinney for helping identify the grant funds, along with Cullman City Schools Technology Coordinator Michael Fowlkes for helping with the technical aspects of incorporating the equipment into the school’s security. A community grant from Sen. Garlan Gudger, R-Cullman was also used to purchase accompanying hardware.

“We’re so thankful for the support of our community in acquiring these upgrades, which will only help make West Elementary even safer in the years to come,” Superintendent Dr. Susan Patterson said.