HOULTON, Maine — With the start of school just ahead, a number of projects in RSU 29 are keeping the custodial staff busy this summer.
Superintendent Ellen Schneider updated the RSU 29 board Monday evening on a number of summer projects currently underway in the district.
Houlton Middle-High School is now equipped with video cameras at both the front and rear entrances of the school, which means visitors to the school must press a button to gain access to the building.
Schneider said Houlton Middle-High School was the final building in the district to be equipped with such a safety device, as both Houlton Elementary and Southside schools have used this technology for the past few years.
Doors at the middle-high school will now be locked during school hours. Visitors must push a button located outside the doors, which sends a message to the front office. The office staff will be able to see who is attempting to gain access to the building and will have to release the electronic door lock to allow the person inside.
All visitors to Houlton Middle-High School are also required to stop into the office to obtain a visitor’s pass. Schneider said the electronic door locks cost about $10,000.
Other projects at Houlton Middle-High School include the construction of a sidewalk from the school to the Region 2 School of Applied Technology. Schneider said the intent of the sidewalk was for students going between the two buildings to use this path, instead of walking across the grassy area.
“We will be trying to break the students’ habit of walking in front of the classrooms as they head to or from Region Two,” she said. “During the winter and spring, the students track in a lot [of snow and mud].”
Houlton Southside School has been raising money for new playground equipment for the past year to accommodate the younger children at the school. Two years ago, the district reconfigured the school to include grades 3-5. Playground equipment suitable for the younger children has been in the fund-raising stages since that move.
New swing sets will be erected at the school by the time students return this fall, according to Principal Cindy Peterson. Additional equipment will be added as funds become available.
