Island Park schools upgrade security

The Island Park Board of Education voted late last month to approve the purchase, installation and management of a district-wide security system.

The security surveillance system is provided by A+ Technology Solutions, which has administered similar services to companies and organizations across the nation, including BOCES, the National Football League and the FBI, though they specialize in education.

“Ninety percent of our business is in K through 12 schools. So we’re in over 200 school districts in New York State,” said David Antar, president of A+ Technology Solutions. “We do more cameras in New York State than any other company into schools.”

The purchase of the surveillance system will cost the district $141,072, although it will receive a return of BOCES State Aid at a rate of 32 percent.

Prior to the vote on the security system, a presentation was held for the Board outside of Lincoln Orens Middle School in a black van filled with high tech equipment.

In addition to explaining the benefits of the security system, Antar showed the trustees the strength and uses of the 56 cameras that would be set up in the district.

According to Antar, the plan calls for 19 exterior cameras and 16 interior cameras at the middle school, 18 cameras at the Francis X. Hegarty Elementary School and 3 cameras at the conference center.

Antar also said that the cameras can be linked to the various alarm systems at the facilities and an easily established link can be made with the Nassau County Police Department.

According to Bovino, the installation of the security system should be completed over the summer. Bovino did not return calls for comment about why the new security system was necessary.