Portales schools awarded grant for security system

Dec. 12—Portales Municipal Schools has been awarded a grant for a security system aimed at identifying guns on campus.

The Stronger Connection grant will allow installation of an Artificial Intelligence system that will work with cameras at Portales High School. Once installed, the program will be able to identify "gun-shaped objects," and alert law enforcement and school staff to take safety precautions.

Director of Federal Programs, Curriculum and Instruction Rick Segovia provided the news to the Portales school board on Monday. Segovia said Portales was one of nine districts awarded the grant, provided through the New Mexico Public Education Department.

"It adds another layer of protection to our students and staff. We take safety very seriously at our school," Segovia said.

Portales schools Superintendent Johnnie Cain said officials are not sure when the system can be installed. He estimated it will take a few months.

Segovia said the state received $7.3 million to provide competitive subgrants to high-need local educational agencies. He said he is yet to be informed exactly how much Portales will receive from NMPED.

For districts to be selected, the schools had to meet some of the following requirements, according to NMPED's Stronger Connection Grant Application:

— Has 40% or greater free and reduced lunch rate.

— Currently does not have an emergency response/communications system.

— Is defined as "rural" with a total K-12 enrollment of 600 students or less.

While the high school will be the first to receive the system, Segovia said he plans to apply for more funds through the years so that it can be installed in all Portales schools.