Fence around Murray High proposed

Published 11:23 pm Thursday, March 8, 2007

CHATSWORTH — Murray County High School could soon be barricaded against dangers from the outside world.

At a work session Thursday, local law enforcement officers suggested the Murray County Board of Education erect a fence at least 6 feet high around the perimeter of the high school.

“Safety is a real big issue at the high school, with the recent rumors and people hollering that there were guns out there,” Chatsworth Police Chief Terry Martin said. “It’s a big liability. You’re responsible for the kids while they’re there.”

Murray County Sheriff Howard Ensley also noted two more school shootings that have been in the news in recent days and an incident that occurred at East Ridge (Tenn.) High School Thursday, where a former custodian apparently entered the school after hours and shot himself in the chest after arguing with a current custodian, according to reports.

“I would consider at least a 6-foot — and maybe a 10-foot — secure, chain-link fence to stop people from coming in, not students from going out,” Ensley said. “It should be gated and closed during the day, leaving only one entrance from Green Road.”

The board also discussed adding another School Resource Officer (SRO) by next year to the high school, which has previously used just one.

“I want to get with (sole county commissioner) Jim Welch to get another SRO. We’ll still have one at each middle school,” Ensley said. “Situations arise every day, and it has taken everybody working together and doing a great job to stop things before they could start.”

SROs are funded 75 percent by the school board and 25 percent by the county, said Dean Donehoo, director of administrative services for Murray County Schools.

“We don’t want the high school to look like a prison, but the students’ safety is more important to me,” Martin said. “There’s no telling how many students are leaving during school hours right now.”

Board members Pat Hooker, Liz Gould and Terri Kirby all noted the problem with graffiti at schools including Woodlawn, Coker and Spring Place elementary schools — most of it coming from skate boarders, they said. They agreed to post “No trespassing” signs high enough so they cannot be removed and so Martin and Ensley can take action against such damage to school property.

Additionally, local officers were undergoing emergency training Thursday night inside Coker Elementary. The board also discussed adding emergency doors to all schools that can be locked remotely by school secretaries. Total cost would be $70,000.

“That’s a no-brainer,” Hooker said. “We should do that with no hesitation.”

Also at the work session, the board discussed:

• A state-mandated five-year facilities plan with Tony Cook of the state Department of Education. Cook explained that Murray County needs 21 classrooms at the middle school level and 43 at the high school level, and the 64 total classrooms makes $12 million in state funds available to the county for a grade 6-12 school.

However, Cook said since Murray County does not yet meet the need for a state-mandated 27 classrooms to receive additional funding for a separate middle school, it would lose $3 million in funding if it made plans now for a separate middle and high schools.

“But you’re in a good situation; the plan can be updated every year,” Cook said. “In the next two years, you may grow enough to earn a separate middle school. But you can leave that on the table as an option now and make your final decision in June 2008, when it is time to apply for state funds.”

The board can utilize funds from the upcoming SPLOST referendum, if successful, and can even continue purchasing land and begin site preparation for a new school, Cook said, as long as it doesn’t sign a construction contract before state funding is available.

• Mulching playgrounds at area schools. The board also looked at a proposal for decorative mulching that would cost about $17,000 for all schools.

• Purchasing a table at the Murray County Chamber of Commerce banquet on Thursday at 7 p.m. at Cohutta Springs Lodge. Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle is tabbed as the guest speaker.

The board could take action on these items and others at the next school board meeting, set for Monday at 7 p.m. at Coker Elementary School.