EASTHAMPTON – As part of state efforts to boost school security in the commonwealth, Easthampton High School (EHS) will receive $40,000 that will bring security upgrades in camera systems, entry door systems and communication systems.

The announcement was made by state Sen. John Velis on Sept. 26 outside of the high school as he was joined by state Rep. Dan Carey, Easthampton Mayor Nicole LaChapelle, Easthampton Superintendent of Schools Allison LeClair, EHS Principal William Evans, Police Chief Robert Alberti and other members of the Easthampton community.

The funding was included in the state’s fiscal year 2023 budget passed by the Senate and House and signed into law by Gov. Charlie Baker. The budget amendment was filed by Velis and supported by Carey.

“Unfortunately, it might be a sign of the times and the world that we live in, I have had so much reach out from superintendents, principals, school administrators, about this very topic: security and upgrading securities at all of the districts I represent,” Velis said. “Needless to say, when this request came in, it was an easy ask, it was an easy sell.”

Velis added this was only the beginning of funding to schools for security upgrades as Baker filed a supplemental budget request in August totaling nearly $40 million toward school security efforts. This included matching grants for security upgrades in K-12 schools and colleges, support for critical school safety initiatives and equips students, staff and emergency responders with the training necessary to

better respond to threats within schools.
Velis added he and Carey have discussed that while this funding from the state is great, it is their responsibility to ensure that “a good portion” of that money comes to their districts in Western Massachusetts. More funding for school security is still available for schools and the district sees this $40,000 as a starting fund for improvements to the building’s security systems.

LeClair said she reached out to both Velis and Carey in the spring looking for support and securing funding for upgrades needed for the high school.

“This building is turning 10 years old this year and there are just advances in security that we want to try and stay up to date with and to do that it’s time for us to do some upgrades and replacements,” LeClair said. “So, we’re really trying to keep abreast of safety and security because one of our biggest priorities as a school district is to keep all students and staff safe. These funds will go a long way to helping us make a difference here in doing that work at the high school.”

Carey opened his remarks by refuting any criticism of the school receiving this funding even though it is only a decade old building. He said technology is constantly changing, including security tech, and referenced his role as vice chair on the Cybersecurity Committee in talking about the need to update technologies regularly.

Carey graduated from EHS in 2003 in the old school building and supported Velis in securing these funds for the community. He referenced back to remembering when the Columbine High School shooting happened while he was in high school.

“I’ll never forget it. I can tell you where I was watching when it came on MTV News back in the day. And now we’re still dealing with those tragedies more and more unfortunately. It’s a terrible, terrible situation,” Carey said. “But every time it comes up on the news, the senator and I think about our districts, and we want to make sure that we’re doing everything we can for our communities, to make sure our constituents are staying safe. That’s just part of the reason why these funds are so important.”

Carey added that communication from the district and community to him and Velis was important in order to take care of needs such as this in Easthampton while they advocate needs in Boston.

LaChapelle credited the school district in identifying this need and going to Velis and Carey to secure these funds.

“We promised sometime ago – and LeClair was there and said, ‘Yes, we need to keep our current buildings up to date,’ and we’re doing that today,” LaChapelle said. “Thank you to all for not forgetting Easthampton High.”

Alberti echoed similar sentiments for the district securing the funding. He added this funding would begin to make officers’ jobs easier when responding to building emergencies.

“Thank you to this team for providing these funds as a starter to upgrade the high school. We appreciate our team’s focus and Easthampton. Moreover, this is going to help us do our job better to provide safety and security to the school and the community,” Alberti said. “They’re helping us do our jobs with equipment technology so we can be better for the community.”