(Lawrenceville, Ga., Feb. 3, 2015) – The SPLOST-funded public safety emergency notification and response system project for public schools took a step forward Tuesday when commissioners approved intergovernmental agreements with both Gwinnett County Public Schools and Buford City Schools. The agreements specify the roles and responsibilities for building, upgrading and maintaining the system within public schools in Gwinnett County.

The system will improve notification, communication and public safety response to emergencies at public schools in both districts. Features of the new system include notification buttons, direct links to the County’s 911 center and live video capabilities. Other improvements will consist of automatic locking systems on certain doors at appropriate schools as well as some automatic notifications and radio amplification.

Board of Commissioners Chairman Charlotte Nash said, “We want to thank the leadership of the Gwinnett School System and the Buford School System for working with us to move this project forward. All of us believe the proposed system is one more step we can take to be ready if an emergency occurs at a school location.”

The project’s total budget is $5 million, with approximately $3.9 million allocated to the Gwinnett County Public Schools portion of the project and just over $300,000 for Buford City Schools. Gwinnett County will use the remaining funds to provide the connections to the 911 center.

The two school boards are each expected to consider the agreements later this month.