Fox Chapel Area School District officials approve new security upgrades

Fox Chapel Area School District officials are starting off the new year by spending nearly $379,000 on security upgrades.

Board members unanimously voted Monday night to approve an approximately $254,900 proposal from Convergint Technologies and a five-year deal with AEC Group at a cost of about $123,700.

The meeting agenda indicated Convergint Technologies’ work would be for upgrades to the district’s security system.

However, school officials declined to explain what those upgrades are or why they are necessary.

AEC Group, which was listed as a “replacement of services,” would work on management for the district’s safety and security system. Officials did not say what service is being replaced.

“The safety of our students, staff, facilities and systems is always a priority for the Fox Chapel Area School District,” district communications coordinator Bonnie Berzonski said before the meeting.

“Because of this, the district does not provide details about matters regarding safety and security.”

Board members did not comment on the motions during the meeting and declined to speak afterward.

Superintendent Mary Catherine Reljac reiterated the communications department’s message after the meeting when pressed about the security measures.

“Safety and security is our most important thing,” she said. “What we have to be very cautious with is sharing details that may compromise that.”

Both companies advertise a variety of security-related services.

According to the company’s website, AEC Group is a Pittsburgh-based “full-service, end-to-end technology solutions integrator” with more than 25 years of experience delivering “solutions focused around data center infrastructure, virtualization, data lifecycle management, security, cloud transformation, virtual workspaces and management services.”

According to Convergint Technologies’ website, the company handles intrusion detection systems, integrated video surveillance, physical identity and access management, as well as other wireless technology, and can provide access control experts among other consultations and services.

Berzonski said she was unaware of any particular incidents involing students, district or borough police that may have sparked the need for security upgrades.

In other security matters

District alum James Thompson requested officials to reconsider the district’s policy of restricting access to the high school track during school hours.

Fox Chapel Area was among several districts to restrict weekday access to facilities from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. in 2020 because of the pandemic. That policy continues.

Thompson said he was told the closure was a safety measure.

“If this was a school which was in jeopardy of violence and all these other things that might be going on, (I’d understand),” he said. “I know it’s important to keep everybody safe, and I think we do. I love all the cops we have here. They do a great job, but the idea that I can’t walk the track when people have been walking on it for years (is wrong).”

He praised the district faculty and staff and the relationships made with them through the years.

Thompson suggested administrators look into allowing people to walk the track provided they show identification and check in with the school office. He also claimed Fox Chapel Area is safer than other school districts in the state.

“That might be another alternative to just opening it up,” he said. “This is Fox Chapel. There’s a lot of nice people here that just want to take a walk and say, ‘Hello.’ ”

Board members did not respond to the resident’s request during the public comment portion of the meeting.

Reljac said after the meeting the district welcomes comments and concerns from residents, and Thompson’s suggestions would be considered.