Cy-Fair ISD's security upgrades draw some criticism

CY-FAIR, TX (KTRK) -- Multi-million dollor security and safety upgrades are on the way for every campus in Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District.

Among the $55 million upgrades, nearly 4,000 surveillance cameras will be installed at 85 campuses.

"Ten for each elementary school, 20 more for every middle school, 40 more for every high school," said CFISD Police Chief Alan Bragg.

It will double to the existing camera supply for the district. The plan also includes panic buttons, two-layered security doors at all visitor entrances, bullet-resistant glass and visitor video monitored entrances. Some students and parents questioned the need for the $55 million additions.

"My school was pretty safe, we didn't have many issues," said Sno'Tiara Wade, who just graduated high school.

The district will also construct a new digital radio system that includes five new radio towers and replacement of all UHF radios. The district will also add call boxes at tri-campuses (campuses that include an elementary, middd and high school).

"Getting that initial alert that something is wrong at that school," Bragg said.

In additional to campus security upgrades, CFISD will also purchase more than 400 school busses to keep students from walking along dangerous roads before and after school . The district will shorten the radius requirement for students who may be able to ride the bus to school.

The multi-million dollar upgrade is a part of a $1.5 billion bond package that unanimously passed months ago. District officials say the money for the upgrades will not be available until the district sells a portion of the bonds in August of September of this year.

Some parents said they were all for the bond, but now question how much it will really cost.

"When we think about property taxes and just a lot more money that we will have to spend. That's the scary thing," said parent Flonisha Dames.