Cape school district works toward better communication

A new communications system in the Cape Girardeau School District will provide walkie-talkie radios, cell phones and satellite tracking all rolled into one device.

School board members recently awarded a contract to Nextel Corp. for a direct connect communications system that officials say will beef up security and improve emergency response at schools.

The district currently uses radio frequency walkie-talkies -- some of which are 15 years old -- that do not allow more than one person to communicate at a time and do not work in certain areas of the schools.

Also, the old system does not allow for private, unit-to-unit communication, which means that if an intruder gained access to one of the radios he or she would be able to hear all communication among district officials.

"In the case of a crisis event, the training and response of staff members is the first line of support," superintendent Mark Bowles said. "The ability to communicate is fundamental to the staff's ability to respond efficiently, effectively and collectively."

Rather than upgrading the old system, Bowles said the district will use new technology known as "direct connect" or "ready link" that utilizes cell phone service instead of radio frequencies.

The initial cost of the equipment is $13,500. Bowles said that money had been set aside for this purpose from the sale of the former board office in 2004. The district plans to use money from a federal tax on telecommunications bills called eRate to help pay for monthly service costs, which are estimated to be $2,750. The eRate funds may provide up to a 70-percent discount on the services, leaving an estimated $850 per month for the district to pay in service charges.

Bowles said the district would purchase around 100 direct connect units for district personnel and school buses.

Mark Ruark, assistant principal at Central High School, said there have been several instances during his 11 years as an administrator when the current system has impeded emergency response. One situation involved a student who was struck by a car.

From the parking lot, Ruark could not communicate to the high school office to ask a secretary to dial 911 because someone else was talking on the radio frequency. Ruark said the new systems would be helpful in case of fights, accidents or other emergencies.

"Before anything else can happen, students have to feel safe at school," Ruark said. "In my mind, these are a godsend."

cclark@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 128