WESTMINSTER : Bulk of School Grant Will Go to Security

Over the objections of some teachers, the school board has decided to use a $432,000 state grant to upgrade security systems, fund school telephones and intercoms, increase handicapped access and purchase instructional materials.

Under state law, the grant could only be used for one-time expenses, which ruled out salary increases or other employee benefits, Westminster School District officials said.

With a unanimous vote Thursday, the Board of Trustees allocated the largest amount, $145,000, to finish installing security systems at all the district schools, including alarms and fencing.

In addition, the district will spend $125,000 from the grant to fund new telephone and intercom systems at about five schools; $100,000 on instructional materials to be selected by teacher committees; and $62,000 to modify restrooms at at least two schools to comply with federal regulations.

Before the vote, Carolyn Anderson, president of the Westminster Teachers Assn., asked that the money be given directly to teachers for classroom supplies.

“Every year teachers spend thousands of our own money in classrooms, and we feel this grant should be used to aid those efforts,” she said. “We feel [the trustees’ plan] is not the best use of these funds.”

Supt. Gail Wickstrom disagreed: “There are a significant number of teachers that want [the telephone and security systems] . . . and as far as the handicapped facilities, we simply need to do that.”

Board members, in response to the teachers’ concerns stated by Anderson, said they will explore ways to pay for classroom supplies throughout the district.