EPC School Board members plan to look in to purchasing video cameras for the Tyronza and Lepanto campuses.

The board met Monday night and heard reports on the costs for the cameras as well as security during a lockdown.

Adding cameras to the campuses is expected to cost about $50,000 to $60,000.

Board members indicated that they would like to start by adding the cameras and intercom system to the Tyronza campus first then look at adding cameras at LKepanto Elemntary next year.

Tyronza Police Chief Tony Turner briefed the school board about door locks for the classrooms. Turned suggested using door locks from the slide-top locks from inside the classroom.

"Instead of moving students from one room to another, just a lock down in the classrooms would be simplier," Turner said. "I have been spending some time at the Tyronza campus trying to figure out what can be done".

Principal Jacinda Prince suggested instead that the teachers could use the Red and Green Card system.

Under that teachers will lock their doors in case of an emergency and can slide a red card under the door to alert paramedics if there is someone hurt inside or a green card if they are all safe.

Turner also addressed the board's concerns about traffic congestion near the schools.

Several Tyronza residents who live near the school have been complaining about being stuck in their driveways for over an hour and about the neigborhood staying too busy.

"The system with the students coming out around the back is getting better," Turner said.

There have been suggestions about building a fence around the ballpark area of the school to help alleviate the problem.

"The estimate that Barton's gave us was a little over $3000 to build it," said Superintendent Mickey Pierce.

The city has given the school clearance to build the fence.

In other business, the board discussed progress on literacy and math scores.

"We are on our way, but we still do have a ways to go," said Principal Gary Williams. "We are doing very well though, and our teachers are going through AP training continuously."

Federal Coordinator Melinda Hannah told the board that she is trying to get the school more laptop computers.

"We do need more wireless Internet in the classrooms," Hannah said.

Hannah said the state has given her approval to improve the district's wireless internet access.

Hannah also told the board that she will be looking to hire literacy coaches for the campus sometime in March or April.

The board also decided to require teachers to pay the $100 fee to renew their teaching license.

The next school board meeting will be held on Oct. 13 at 7 p.m.