By Bobbie Hayse

The Daviess County Public Schools Board of Education is discussing a summer construction project with RBS Design that will add secured entry vestibules at 14 district schools.

The vestibules, along with a door buzzer project that will fit all school office exit doors with magnetic door locks, was generated by the district safety-security advisory committee, said David Shutt, the district's director of maintenance and operations.

Shutt said the committee is made up of district employees and resource officers at the schools.

The door buzzer project is 50 percent complete, Shutt told the board during Tuesday's board luncheon at the district central office.

The secured entry vestibule project will provide an added safety measure at all school entrances.

"You will come into the school and there will be a transaction window there," Shutt said. "You'll be able to come through the front door, and there will be a receptionist at the window."

He said that individuals will have to inform the receptionists of their business in the school before being allowed or denied entry. If allowed, individuals will enter the school office. From there, visitors will have to be buzzed through the magnetically-locked doors into the school itself.

Lora Wimsatt, the district's spokesperson, said that "nothing is more important" than the safety of students while trying to remain "friendly and welcoming places for families and visitors.

"But we also recognize the realities of the world in which we live," she said. "We believe the security vestibules are an important next step in our ongoing focus in this area."

The initial cost estimate for the vestibule project is $509,000, Shutt said.

"We realize security is important, and with that understanding we feel like the parents will support this additional level of security," he said.

The next phase of the project is for RBS Design to submit plans to the board in February.

Also during the luncheon, the board chose Mike Clark as its chairman; Dr. Tom Payne as its vice-chair; Assistant Superintendent Matt Robbins as treasurer; and Superintendent Owens Saylor was selected to fill the role of secretary.

Saylor also reminded the board that the district will use Feb. 20 as a make-up day for the Jan. 5 snow day.

All items discussed for consideration during the luncheon will be finalized Thursday during the board's regular 5:30 p.m. monthly meeting at the district's central office.