Civil Municipal - Feb 2024

Board Secretary.“Not only are they there for security reasons, but they also work with our student body, to build that relationship with the students and law enforcement and make them comfortable and hopefully find out before things happen.” Furthermore, cameras are located throughout all schools, monitored by the district, and linked to the local police department. In terms of the partnership with the police, Dr. Miceli says, “The relationship is very strong. The police department does all the drills with us, and we work pretty closely with them every month. They have access to the building and work with us on that end.” INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS AND FACILITY UPGRADES A recent community-approved referendum concentrated on critical infrastructure projects in the District, including an HVAC project aimed at replacing and adding air conditioning to all schools. With only 30% of the District currently air-conditioned, this initiative will significantly “We are creating those opportunities, K to 12, for students to think outside of the box, and to engage in those skills that we know are going to be necessary for them,” Zirpoli portrays. “The other piece to that is teaching our students about ethics, and about what it is to be a good person, what it is to make the right decision. I think that we do well with our character education program in that way.” SAFETY AND SECURITY New Providence School District is committed to ensuring a safe and secure environment in all of its facilities. Part of these efforts includes updating locking systems to be monitored by a central office and incorporating a set of double doors known as “man-traps” at main entrances so visitors are required to sign in before entering the building. “We also have school resource officers in all three of our buildings, who are police officers,” describes James Testa, School Business Administrator, and 204 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 5, ISSUE 02