JOHNSTOWN - A Syracuse architectural firm is assisting the Greater Johnstown School District in sizing up its buildings to determine whether an upgrade in security devices such as cameras and more surveillance measures can be accomplished.
The Board of Education's Facilities Committee heard a report last week at Johnstown High School on an effort by Ashley McGraw Architects, which has been hired by the district for various work. The firm has already done work evaluating the district's Crescendoe Road bus facility that it leases, as the district considers future bus transportation needs.
Interim district Business Manager Ralph Acquaro recently told the Facilities Committee that Ashley McGraw Architects has also evaluated all the district's buildings and Knox Field regarding the "need for surveillance." He said the firm issued a report, the scope of which still needs to be further reviewed by education officials.
"That's going to take a little digesting," Acquaro said.
Acquaro said the district is studying the possibility of adding security cameras and upgrading the technology for some of its entrance devices, such as swipe-card devices at district buildings. He said the district has also been increasingly concerned about Knox Field, where vandalism and improper behavior is periodically reported.
Committee Chairman Scott Miller said a description of each building was done by the architects.
Acquaro said the work by the architectural firm can be further evaluated at the committee's next meeting at 6 p.m. Oct. 1 at Glebe Street Elementary School.
In another matter before the committee, officials said the district will eventually move from its Irving Street facility as it evaluates its future space needs.
E.J. Maye, the district's director of facilities and operations, said the former Jansen Avenue Elementary School building is "pretty much cleaned out" and some equipment from Irving Street can be put there.
Acquaro discussed the possibility of putting the sale of the Irving Street property on the annual ballot in May.
Miller noted that not too long ago, the district was happy to keep a property such as the one on Irving Street.
In a regular board meeting following the committee session, Miller reported a rebuilt phone system is up and running at Knox Junior High School.
He said the district is also seeking price quotes for an ice machine for the junior high school.
Michael Anich covers Johnstown and Fulton County news. He can be reached at johnstown@leaderherald.com.