Roanoke School Board Welcomes SROs In Every School, Punts On Student ID Badge In Approving $1.7 Million Safety Package

Henri Gendreau -
Roanoke City Public Schools will spend more than $1.7 million on safety upgrades beginning in the upcoming school year. The district is relocating administrative offices into the former Roanoke Times building on Campbell Avenue in downtown Roanoke. PHOTO BY HENRI GENDREAU FOR THE ROANOKE RAMBLER

Roanoke City schools will spend more than $1.7 million on safety upgrades, to include a resource officer in every school, more cameras in buildings and panic buttons for staff.

The school board voted late Tuesday on the bulk of a “recommended package” from school administrators that would also add three assistant principals; establish a 24/7 safety tip line; and improve certain entryways and locks across the division.

“I think the package as presented is well thought out and thorough,” board member Natasha Saunders said. “I think we have done a great job listening to our educators and our community constituents.”