The topic of security and keeping schools safe is undoubtedly on the minds of administrators, parents, and teachers, including at Tuesday night’s monthly meeting of the Webb City school board. KRPS’s Fred Fletcher-Fierro has more.

A brief presentation from the owners of Tandy Security Enforcement Specialists led off the meeting. The Webb City-based security company proposed an $800,000 contract to school officials and board members to have nine officers patrol the district’s 11 buildings.

Steve Tandy highlighted that on-site private security would shorten reaction times to violence.

No vote was taken on the Tandy Security Contract. Also on Tuesday night, board members approved a $34,500 contract with a Springfield, Missouri-based firm to provide a safety audit and assessment of school facilities; it also includes an update to the district’s crisis plan.

The audit will not only look at how the district can improve on protecting staff, teachers and students from violence but also from natural disasters. Webb City schools is in the process of adding sensors to all external doors throughout the district. Officials Tuesday indicated that it could take most of the school year to complete the project.