New Cameras, IDs to Bolster School Security

The Montville Township Board of Education approved at its meeting last week the periodic use of suspicionless canine searches in schools to deter students from bringing in illegal drugs—a practice the district used last year and in previous years—and one board member suggested taking the occasional searches a step further.

Board member John Morella, a West Orange police officer, said the board should consider allowing unannounced locker searches, too.

School board President Karen Cortellino said in an interview announced locker searches already are performed and that high school administrators would be involved in deciding if unannounced locker searches would benefit students in the future.

She said the district wants schools to be safe while maintaining a positive atmosphere and culture.

"In Montville, we are hoping to create a culture where we can impart some responsibility on the student and yet provide a safe school environment," she said.

In addition to the returning canine searches, Montville has two new security elements this year: new security cameras at the high school and new ID cards for employees.

The cameras are the final phase of a three-phase security project started a few years ago, and the district is using new ID cards this year, officials said.

Superintendent Paul Fried said the district has used IDs in the past, but over time employees wore them less regularly.

Cortellino said the security measures come out of a sense of awareness and not due to a particular incident.

The canine searches are scheduled in advance and require the written approval of both the superintendent and the building principal, according the board resolution.

Each day leading up to the start of the school year, we're bringing you information about Montville's schools.

Saturday:

Sunday:

Monday:

Tuesday: New Security Measures

Wednesday: First Day of School!