Meridian School Board approves
contract with private security firm
By By Georgia E. Frye / staff writer
May 2, 2003
The Meridian School Board reversed itself Thursday and voted to sign a contract with a private security firm for night and weekend security at 18 sites, a move that will reportedly save the district more than $20,000 a year.
School Superintendent Janet McLin first brought the matter before the board Monday at its monthly meeting, but the motion was not approved. On Thursday, board members revisited the issue and reversed its previous action.
The action means that personnel from Covert Security Company, a private security firm, will handle security duties for public schools, and three part-time security guards who now work for the school district will lose their jobs.
Suzanne Smith, chief fiscal officer for the school district, said there were several problems with the current night and weekend security in the district, but the problem wasn't with any one person.
Smith said the problems include getting written time sheets, fuel cards not being returned and lost keys. Smith said these issues will not come up with a private security firm.
The district is currently paying $46,500 for three part-time security guards. One security guard has been terminated and the remaining two will be notified their positions have been eliminated and given two weeks notice from the district.
With Covert Security Company, the district will pay $21,600 a year, cutting its security cost in half, Smith said. Under the new firm, each of the 15 schools in the district, as well as the Tuxedo Print Shop, Central Office and the Harris Complex will be checked twice nightly.
McLin said the security guards will be armed and will provide a greater level of security for all buildings in the district.
In other business, the board voted to hire a new principal and a new executive director of human resources for the district to replace the current employees, who are retiring.
Linda Dulaney will take over as principal of Poplar Springs Elementary July 1 to replace Fred Brashier, who will retire June 30.
The new executive director of human resources, effective July 1, is Geral Loden. Loden will replace Hargie Crenshaw, who will retire June 30.
McLin said the district is also in the process of hiring a replacement for Carver Middle School Principal Robert Markham, who will take over as deputy superintendent July 1. Markham will serve until a new school superintendent is hired by the school board.
