HARLINGEN – The district is preparing to install more fencing at three of its high school campuses.
Harlingen High School, Harlingen High School South and the Dr. Abraham P. Cano Freshman Academy will soon have more fencing to enhance security. These new measures will enhance an already-solid security system.
“At the high schools, we’ve completed our camera upgrades with all the new digital cameras,” said Oscar Tapia, assistant superintendent for district operations for the Harlingen school district.
“All the cameras are new, digital, high tech and all that,” he said. “But this year we’re doing increased perimeter fencing that the entire campus will be enclosed.”
“It’s for anyone who wants to come into the campus that doesn’t belong there,” he said. “But we have had some students leave the campus because some areas are just wide open. We want to be sure to have a little more control about who leaves especially during lunch hours.”
He said campuses would be open in the morning when students are arriving to school. However, that changes once the school day begins.
“Once the bell rings and everything’s closed up, even the back entries are going to be closed gates,” he said. “The only way to get into the campus is through the front door to the front office,” he said. “Everything else will be closed and locked. Once the school is going to be let out they’ll open up all the gates for the cars and for pedestrians.”
He said the district will soon go out for bids for the project. A budget of about $350,000 in TRE funds has already been set aside for the project.
