Security updates planned for Plains school

A special Plains School Board meeting was held this month to address several important issues.

Two of the current school board members, Steve Spurr and Robert Cutlip attended via phones.

Starting the meeting off, Superintendent Dr. Kathleen Walsh discussed the upcoming security changes at the Plains School. During the holiday school break technicians will install magnetic door locks on the main entrance doors. Entering the school will now require an individual to wait for the door to be unlocked electronically by office staff. 

“We will close the process (of an open campus to a closed campus) after 8:30 a.m. and people will have to be buzzed in when they come,” Walsh stated. 

Additional information about school visitor access with be available soon. 

An additional security access improvement will be located on the kitchen door. A electronic keypad will be installed on that access point. Once visitors enter the building office staff and principals escort individuals to their respective areas. 

“Hopefully, this will be enough staff support. We will try it and whatever needs to be fixed we will fix,” Walsh commented.

Under new business board members addressed personnel hires. 

Suzy VonHeeder was hired as the 21sst Century pep instructor. Additional kitchen staff was hire with the board approval of Shannon Allen as a substitute kitchen cook’s helper and Laura Rogers as a substitute teacher. 

The consideration and possible action to approve an out-of-district student from Hot Spring was tabled for another board meeting. 

“We don’t have the documentation in front of us,” Board Chair Lana Dicken stated.

Board members voted unanimously to allow the National Honors Society planned field trip to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. 

During the public participation on non-agenda items, resident Mayme Ercanbrack was concerned about the qualifications of current individuals with teaching the schools Heath Smart curriculum (HSC). 

“Of the six topics in the (HSC), five of them, at least in my opinion, would be better suited for a nurse to teach than a schoolteacher,” Ercanbrack continued,” “I am requesting that a permanent change be made for the school nurse to be the default teacher.”

Kyle Mitchell, employed as a shop teacher for the school, also addressed the board during public comment.

"I love my students and my community," he said. "I want to provide the best educational experience that I can. For the past years it has become clear that I can’t do that without the support of the school district or the school board.” 

Mitchell continued, “I am embarrassed to work here because of the lack of communication, leadership and the effective management and has negatively affected my ability to provide a high-quality education to my students. The only people that can truly change the trajectory are the people setting at this table.”

    Plains School Superintendent Dr. Kathleen Walsh discusses new school security measures being installed at the school. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)