LBSS Principal Seeks Support for Security Cameras

Principal Dave Thomas is seeking input from parents, faculty, students and community members regarding a proposal to install interior security cameras at the school. 

"Providing a safe and secure environment for our students to learn and grow is a main priority of our staff at Lake Braddock," Thomas wrote in a letter on the school's website.  "The proposal calls for installing about 20 interior cameras, which will be placed in the school’s 'hot spots,' such as the main halls, the cafeteria and locker bays," said Thomas.  "These cameras would be in addition to the exterior security cameras already in place."

The discussion began after the .  The Board requires schools considering interior cameras to communicate to their communities about plans, gauge support and report back to the cluster supervisor.

Thomas reported the installation of interior cameras at Lake Braddock would cost the school nearly $74,000, with the school board paying $8,000. No appropriated funds would be used for the project. "We will pay for the cameras using local administrative and technology accounts and accumulated community use credits," said PTSA President Judy Dioquino in Bruin Voices.

"This cost, of course, is a rough estimate, but we expect that amount to be within 10 - 20 percent of the actual cost," Thomas wrote. "We expect that there will be adjustments to lower the final estimate, due to pre-existing wiring from our exterior cameras. A final estimate will be requested from the vendor once permission is granted to move forward."

Comments are due by Friday, June 15, and may be submitted by email to Principal Thomas at dfthomas@fcps.edu

"On Monday, June 18, all of the input that has been collected throughout this year will be collated and, if there is sufficient support, I will request permission from the Superintendent to move forward on installation," said Thomas.  "They would be installed in August and be operating by the time school starts in September," he said.