Fayette County school board hears security presentation

The Centegix crisis alert system includes electronic badges that each school staff member can use to notify the campus of medical, safety or other emergencies. Courtesy Centegix

The Centegix crisis alert system includes electronic badges that each school staff member can use to notify the campus of medical, safety or other emergencies. Courtesy Centegix

Opening with a slide showing a child hiding under a desk, a representative from Atlanta-based Centegix made an information presentation to the Fayette County Board of Education on Oct. 21 regarding school security.

The board heard details about the Centegix crisis alert system, which would equip all school staff with electronic badges that anyone could use to notify and/or lock down each school campus in the event of an active shooter, altercation, medical emergency or other urgent situation within five seconds. The system includes flashing lights for hallways and integrates with school intercoms and computer alerts. The cost to equip all 26 Fayette school sites (including the alternative school and administrative buildings) would be approximately $740,000, of which $720,000 could come from a state safety grant and the rest from ESPLOST funds.

The board did not schedule any immediate action following the presentation.