High School District to Pump $600k into Smarter Surveillance System

The board of a California school system has approved funding to replace legacy security camera gear. West Sonoma County Union High School District awarded the $602,948 contract to Integrated Security Controls, a regional solution provider.

According to local reporting, the Santa Rosa company will be installing 96 cameras at three high schools, Analy, El Molino and Laguna, as well as software with analytics that will enable administrators to view what's happening at their schools.

During the meeting where the approval was given, facilities manager Jennie Bruneman told the board that the previous camera system was "very difficult to use," forcing users to manually look through footage to find what they needed. With the new equipment, users will be able to search on specific details — "a student wearing a ball cap and a red shirt" — and the analytics will identify that individual as he or she moves around the campus.

The Integrated Security solution was chosen after a pilot project that tested two companies' systems. The specific equipment being installed comes from Avigilon, a Motorola Solutions company.

The camera installation is expected to be done by the end of September, Bruneman told the board.

About the Author

Dian Schaffhauser is a former senior contributing editor for 1105 Media's education publications THE Journal, Campus Technology and Spaces4Learning.

Featured

  • Designing Third Spaces That Do What AI Can't

    In 2026, education is evolving faster than ever. With AI reshaping everything from lesson planning to personalized instruction, schools and universities are turning their attention to what AI can’t replicate: spaces that foster collaboration, community, and creativity.

  • UCF Modernizes College of Hospitality Management

    The University of Central Florida in Orlando, Fla., recently completed a major renovation effort for the Rosen College of Hospitality Management, according to a news release. The project modernized 77,600 square feet worth of academic classrooms, teaching labs, and collaborative spaces to support both students and faculty.

  • CU-Lock Haven Receives $1.75M Gift for New Entrepreneurship, Media Center

    Commonwealth University-Lock Haven in Lock Haven, Penn., recently received a $1.75-million donation from entrepreneur and alumnus Nicholas Subich ’17, according to a university news release. The funds will go toward establishing the Nicholas Subich Center for Entrepreneurship and Media, a technology-driven hub for innovation and experiential learning.

  • Phoenix School District Breaks Ground on New Prep Academy

    The Creighton Elementary School District near Phoenix, Ariz., recently broke ground on a campus replacement for Biltmore Preparatory Academy, according to a news release. The new space will allow the school to expand its enrollment by 50 percent for K–8 students and accommodate modern, collaborative learning styles.