Financial decisions took center stage for Allen County commissioners Tuesday morning.
First, they spent $154,000 to place security cameras 28 total in and near the courthouse, including nearly $18,000 to erect security cameras at Humboldt Elementary School. Next, they agreed to fund operations at the Bowlus Fine Arts Center with a levy of 1 mill annually. For the 2018-2019 Bowlus budget that will amount to $141,000.
Kay Lewis, superintendent of USD 258 (Humboldt) schools told commissioners the elementary installation completed a photographic circle of security, with adequate camera coverage already in place at the middle and high schools.
She also briefed them on plans to enhance student protection through storm shelters and that a grant had provided the district with mental health services of a therapist and case worker.
Mental health concerns often are mentioned in events that have ravaged schools in mass shootings. Thats not to say that 50 to 70 students who take advantage of mental health services in Humboldt even remotely show any of those tendencies, Lewis indicated, but having the opportunity for students to share worries and apprehensions is important and beneficial.
Consideration of steps to make the courthouse and schools throughout Allen County safer quickly evolved into a lengthy discussion.
An alert system, triggered by computer or cell phone, was proposed at a cost of $7,620, and was put on hold to give commissioners and department heads more time to delve into its implications.
That was just the starting point.
Were on notice, Chairman Tom Williams said. We need to get something done to better ensure the safety of those who work at the courthouse.
Discussion included such things as having only one entrance open to the public and protected by a metal detector; erecting transparent barricades in offices as was done with essentially impenetrable glass in the county attorneys office; having armed guards patrolling hallways.
We cant cure evil, Williams interjected, but recognized the need to protect employees. Several admitted to having fears of being confronted by people who might have less than honorable intentions.
We need an immediate fix, said Commissioner Jerry Daniels, to the point of placing armed deputies in hallways so they could immediately respond to a disruption.
Sheriff Bryan Murphy also offered a proposal through his office to give all schools in the county real-time protection.
Murphy said having armed resource officers fully trained and equipped in all schools five in Iola, two in Humboldt, and one each in Moran and the technology center near LaHarpe would cost $832,500 in the first year. In the second year and beyond start-up costs would be about $500,000 for salaries and benefits.
Commissioners didnt immediately embrace Murphys suggestion, but didnt dismiss it.
Murphy was to have met with school officials from the three Allen County districts Tuesday afternoon to discuss the proposal and look at other ways to ensure student safety. Commissioners asked him to relay their decision to help USD 258 with the camera installation, and determine whether others had similar requests.
THE DECISION to help fund the Bowlus operations budget came after several proponents remarked about the importance of the cultural arts center to all of Allen County. On Monday night, USD 257 board of education members earmarked an annual contribution of 1 mill for the Bowlus tax levy, a level of support that Iola has made available for several years.
