With security more of an issue today than it was when Collinsville High School first opened its doors in 1972, school board members have been grappling with two projects that would offer more security at the campus.

Sign outside Collinsville High School / Picture by Roger Starkey

At its general meeting in May, the board voted down both plans. One would have added fencing around the campus. The other project would have enclosed the walkway between the main building and the cafeteria and gym, an open walkway students must now use to move between buildings.

Board members and school officials voiced concerns about the most practical plan to provide safety and the cost of the projects, especially when balanced with the district’s immediate need for more classroom space; and the appearance of the fencing at the campus.

Enclosing the walkway would mean keeping students from walking in rain and winter weather, save on the cost of heating and cooling buildings and also make the campus more secure, said board member Gary Kusmierczak, who voted for the enclosure but against the fence.

“I voted against the fence because the (security) problem is partly solved by the walkway and because I don’t want (the campus) to look like a prison yard,” he said.

Board member Jane Soehlke also voted for the walkway, which she considered more important than the fence.

“It’s wrong to ask the kids to walk in the rain, the cold and snow,” she said.

But she said she “could not picture the fence,” as it was presented to the board with black rod iron fencing in the front and chain link around the back.

“The football fields are enclosed already. No other high school has fencing like that,” she added.

Board president Gary Peccola voted against the enclosure between the buildings, and for the fence.

“My personal concern is the cost (for the enclosure),” he said. “It was originally $300,000 but the final figure was around $400,000. At this point in time, classrooms are crowded and we may need to add space on an elementary school, a wing on the middle school. I would rather see the money go for classrooms than the enclosure.”

But the fencing, he said, would control access to the campus for visitors and parents and direct them to the main entrance, which can be confusing, especially for someone not familiar with the campus.

District security manager Bob Carpenter agrees the fence can help direct visitors “Who want to come in the right way, but don’t know how,” and added the fence could give students more room to congregate before and after school.

Board secretary Wayne White, who has made safety a priority during his tenure on the board, he said, is working to bring back the proposals.

Both the walkway enclosure and the fence are needed for safety and security and can be done in a way that is aesthetically pleasing, White said. He points to recommendations from the Crisis Building Committee, the building administration and the School Resource Officer.

“My intention is to do all I can to revisit (the issues),” said White who voted in favor of both the fence installation and building the walkway. “I’ve been in favor since I joined the school board seven years ago and I’m not going to let it die in one vote.”