Brick School Board Meeting Thursday Includes Budget Information

BRICK, NJ — When the Brick Township Board of Education meets Thursday evening, the budget discussion on the agenda will likely include a sharper focus on security.

School security has been prime topic since 17 people — 14 students and three staff members — were gunned down at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, FL, on Valentine's Day.

Acting Superintendent Dennis Filippone has sent letters home to district families and posted them on the Brick schools' website about changes to security protocols as the district responds to concerns about the potential for a similar incident in Brick.

Anyone coming to the district's schools during the school day must have an appointment and must show identification before being allowed into the building, Filippone said in a letter last Friday. Parents are being urged to avoid dropping off forgotten items.

"Our students are more secure when there are fewer visits to our campus," Filippone said. "We know that this protocol is more stringent than past practice and may inconvenience our parents and guardians who are, as always, welcome in our schools. Please be assured that the safety of our students and staff is our highest priority."

The agenda for the meeting, the public portion of which begins at 7 p.m. in the Professional Development Center at the Veterans Memorial school complex, includes the promotion of a substitute security officer to a full-time position at Brick Township High School.

A special meeting has been set for 6 p.m. March 21 for the tentative budget introduction.

If you cannot attend the school board meeting, it will be broadcast live on the district's YouTube channel. Click here to watch on your computer, tablet or smartphone.

Photo via Brick Board of Education video