Ohio District to Upgrade Entire Camera System

Ohio District to Upgrade Entire Camera System

Marion City Schools plans to spend just over $626,000 to upgrade video surveillance cameras in all eight of its buildings after a 2018 audit found that a majority of its current cameras were outdated.

  • By Jessica Davis
  • April 19, 2019

Marion City Schools plans to spend just over $626,000 to upgrade video surveillance cameras in all eight of its buildings to increase security. The district’s board of education unanimously decided to upgrade the entire camera system on Monday.

According to Superintendent Ronald Iarussi, the district plans to replace all of its current security cameras by the end of August. The district will be adding more cameras to school hallways and entrances.

An audit of the district’s camera system, completed by the John Thomas Educational Consulting Group in early 2018, found that a majority of the district’s current cameras had been in use for almost two decades. According to the audit, the analog-technology cameras had grainy footage and limited coverage in some areas within district facilities, and some cameras were found to be inoperable.

Iarussi said some cameras have been updated since then, and others have been relocated to more strategic points within the district’s buildings. He said the district will be installing 535 cameras throughout its campuses and upgrading to newer technology with drastically clearer image quality.

Administrators, resource officers and office support staff will be able to access real-time footage, Iarussi said. School officials said the updated camera system was part of a larger plan to boost security.

The district’s School Board President Ted McKinniss said the upgrades will address concerns about the district’s cameras being outdated or offering limited coverage.

"A number of parents and community members were asking what we were doing to make sure that students were safe in our buildings," he said.

According to Iarussi, the new cameras will have increased video storage capacity, in case staff need to go back and view previous footage. Administrators and school resource officers will be able to access those cameras from a mobile device.

About the Author

Jessica Davis is the Associate Content Editor for 1105 Media.

Featured

  • Campus Parking Problems: Modern Security Solutions

    Parking: for many, it’s an everyday fact of life. Whenever we drive somewhere, we must consider parking, and often, that parking experience sets our mood and expectations for the rest of the journey. Whether a quick grocery store pickup or long-term airport parking, the parking lot is an integral part of whatever type of campus you’re visiting. This includes destinations like retail stores, your local high school, hospitals, and the park-and-ride systems present in major cities. Read Now

  • The Critical Need for Naloxone on School Campuses

    The opioid crisis is escalating across the United States, increasingly affecting all segments of the population, including students on K-12 and college campuses. As the threat from opioids, especially fentanyl, becomes more widespread, it's critical for schools to have naloxone available—an antidote for opioid overdoses. This article discusses why naloxone should be as common as Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) in educational settings. Read Now

  • Best Practices for A Holistic Approach to Video Solutions in Campus Security

    Video surveillance is one of the most common security measures implemented by educational institutions today, but installing cameras is just the beginning. Adopting a holistic, comprehensive approach to video surveillance is a more effective way to safeguard campus communities and fully realize the value of your investment in physical security systems. Read Now

  • Back to School Planning is a Year-Round Commitment

    With summer underway, K-12 and college students, faculty, and staff are taking a well-earned break to recharge and gear up for the fall. It’s also the season when security professionals can get in and get busy installing upgrades and retrofits before the new school year starts. It’s a brief window, but, thanks to diligent planning throughout the year, the pros are always ready to hit the ground running at the last bell of spring term to make the most out of the limited time available. Read Now

Most   Popular

Webinars

Whitepapers