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March 23, 2023 ASSOCIATED NEWSPAPERS OF MICHIGAN PAGE 3

PLYMOUTH - CANTON
PLYMOUTH - CANTON

School district planning multiple safety upgrades

Plymouth-Canton Community Schools time, and direct first responders to an
Superintendent Monica Merritt recently ” exact location in a building so we can act
reassured parents of the safety measures Thanks to these new state funds, P-CCS can in a timely manner, whatever the emer-
in place at all district buildings. She said gency.”
the district continues to make significant enhance and expand our security coverage Other safety enhancements that have
investments in a wide range of security using technology that is discreet and unobtrusive. been deployed at district schools include
measures on campus, including call boxes the recent “hiring” of Echo, a K-9 dog
and enhanced protections at building trained to detect firearms and explosives
entrances. and safety. With 16,252 students at the time every student is safe while they're at and provide comfort to students, teachers
“At Plymouth-Canton Community the 2023 funds were allocated, the approx- school, in a place that is both welcoming and staff. Echo's training comes from a
Schools, we are laser focused on the imately $109-per-student amount repre- and secure at the same time,” Meier said. $13,000 donation from Kiwanis Club of
importance of helping ensure all students, sents some of the most significant recent “With these funds - and the leadership of Colonial Plymouth as part of an ongoing
teachers, staff and visitors are safe, and funding for safety and security in a Superintendent Merritt and the board of community effort to help boost safety at
that means using resources innovatively, Michigan school district, Merritt noted in a education -- we're going to enhance our Plymouth-Canton schools.
creatively and efficiently,” Merritt said. prepared statement. security coverage in ways that can keep The district security and safety meas-
“From our community partners and elect- The state funding must be used for our students and staff safe while preserv- ures are the result of close collaboration
ed leaders to our board of education and infrastructure and operations. In ing our schools' nurturing learning envi- with law enforcement agencies at the
teachers, staff, administrators and fami- Plymouth Canton, the funds will be invest- ronment.” local, state and federal levels, Merritt said.
lies, all of us at P-CCS have wrapped our ed in cutting-edge technology and imple- The state funds will be used for a wide In addition to long-standing partnerships
arms around the goal of keeping our stu- ment new operations for each of the 25 range of new equipment and enhance- with the City of Plymouth, Canton
dents and staff safe.” buildings spread across the sprawling ments, including emergency call boxes for Township and Plymouth Township police
That commitment and district efforts 60.5-square-mile district, explained the area around Salem, Plymouth and departments, district officials also work
recently received a boost when the Director of School Safety and Security Canton high schools; enhanced security with outside agencies such as the
Michigan School Aid Fund for 2023 includ- Josh Meier. measures at building entrances; protec- Michigan State Police and the FBI. A
ed a $1.8-million allocation for security “Our No. 1 priority is to help ensure tive glass; improved public address sys- recent third-party independent audit of
tems and mass notification capabilities; the Plymouth-Canton district security
visitor and emergency management soft-
upgrades resulted in a highly positive
Radio junior), Nathaniel Behrens (Plymouth ware and two-way radio and communica- review, noting the district demonstrates
sophomore)
and
Akshayapriya
many best practices in safety and security.
tions equipment upgrades.
Saravanan (Plymouth junior) The new equipment will enhance the “Thanks to these new state funds, P-
FROM PAGE 1 Sports Public Service capabilities of the district on-site central CCS can enhance and expand our security
Announcement command center, a rarity on school district coverage using technology that is discreet
(Canton junior) and Avneet Pandher Second Place - Simon Oszust campuses, officials added. Installed in and unobtrusive,” said P-CCS Board of
(Salem junior) (Plymouth senior), Mady Bajorek 2021 following a voter-approved bond pro- Education Vice President Lauren
Second Place - Emma Johnston (Salem senior) and Ariel Ooms posal, the command center allows district Christenson. “Through responsible finan-
(Plymouth 2022 graduate) (Plymouth senior) security professionals to see and hear cial stewardship of the 2020 voter-
Honorable Mention - Ariel Ooms Sports Announcing Team activity in any school building in real time approved bond, P-CCS is making critical
(Plymouth senior) First Place - Andy McLaren during a safety or medical emergency. investments in safety and security meas-
Promotional Announcement (Plymouth junior) and Leo Popp (Salem They can then coordinate with law ures that protect our students, staff and
Second Place - Daniel Schoenherr sophomore) enforcement for quicker, more precise families. The allocation of an additional
(Salem 2022 graduate) and Emma Second Place - Andy McLaren responses, Meier explained. $1.8 million in Michigan's School Aid Fund
Johnson (Plymouth 2022 graduate) (Plymouth junior) and Brody Klein “With our command center and inte- for security enhancements will help us
Honorable Mention - Ariel Ooms (Plymouth junior) grated security operation, law enforce- continue to build on the positive steps
(Plymouth senior) Honorable Mention - Ben Vertin ment or medical personnel aren't walking we're taking as a district to create a safe
Public Service Announcement (Plymouth 2022 graduate) and Andy into a situation blind,” Meier said. “At P- and welcoming place for students to learn
First Place - Simon Oszust (Plymouth McLaren (Plymouth junior) CCS, we provide eyes and ears, in real and thrive.”
senior) and Nadia Halim (Plymouth Use of Social Media
junior) First Place - Mady Bajorek (Salem
Second Place - Simon Oszust senior), Alia Mulbagal (Salem junior)
(Plymouth senior) and Simon Oszust (Plymouth senior). To subscribe to The Eagle visit
Public Service Announcement The school district radio station has
OK2SAY been in operation since Feb. 14, 1972 www.associatednewspapers.net.
First Place - Nadia Halim (Plymouth and is managed by Bill Keith.