(file photo)
The Hutchinson School Board Thursday approved several measures designed to improve district safety.
The board met Thursday in a special session because the normal second meeting date of the month fell on Memorial Day, a federal holiday.
They approved the purchase of new hand-held radios and repeaters for the district to ensure the radios cover the entire city. The radios will allow buildings to communicate internally as well as with the rest of the district.
The radios will be similar to those used at Hutchinson High School the past several years.
The board also approved upgrades for safety at the Shirley J. Hutcherson Center, where the district’s Head Start, Early Head Start and Parents as Teachers programs are headquartered. The facility, located in the Careyville neighborhood of Hutchinson, didn’t receive upgrades during the 2006 bond issue.
Thursday’s action by the board will upgrade both the facility’s intercom and its fire alarm system.
The board approved a slightly revised 2013-14 calendar. The only changes were two early release days in the spring to accommodate changes in the state track season.
Also approved was the purchase of additional iPads and related equipment for Hutchinson Middle School and the Hutchinson Career and Technical Education Academy. They also approved the purchase of a robotic welder for the HCTEA.