•THURSDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2014 O'FALLON PROGRESS A3

eaten relatively soon, so I calledsome contacts in Ferguson, Mo.,and immediately the lines of com-munication were opened and wetook a load of supplies and food tothem for Thanksgiving,” McGillsaid.“We actually had accrued some

additional supplies at the time,but also didn’t have time to con-vert a little over $200 in cash togift cards so our contact arrangedfor the local Bob Evans Restau-rant down there to provide a hotcatered meal on ThanksgivingDay for officers working.”McGill said since the protest-

ing, rioting and looting in andaround Ferguson, Mo., has dieddown slightly, the loads of suppli-es of donations have lightened,but support is still strong.“They’re going through such a

tumultuous time right now andlong hours with several nightswithout relief has to take a tolland if we can help lighten that,then wewill,” McGill said. “Most-lywhat they need are supplies likewater, Gatorade, vitamin waterand food, but food that is pack-aged and able to be put into theirpockets when they go to patrolstreets in their protective gear.”“I would like to thank theWives

Behind the Badge organizationwho initiated the effort to collectfood, water and basic medicalsupplies for the emergency re-sponders assigned to protect theFerguson area,” O’Fallon Chief ofPolice Eric Van Hook said.“We wanted to do what we

could to help them in the collec-tion of these items.Members of the O’Fallon Police

Department worked with area po-lice departments to assist in thecollection and delivery of theseproducts.“We were all concerned for the

safety and health of the emergen-cy responders who endured longshifts, often during periods of ex-treme heat, to protect their com-munities.“On behalf of the officers I

would also like to thank the localbusinesses and citizens who do-nated products to assist the emer-gency responders during thesetrying times.”

GIVING |Continued from Page A1

The Village of Shiloh Police, along with others like the O’Fallon, Fairview Heights and Collinsville Police Departments, as well as manyothers, have made several trips to the Ferguson, Mo., region to deliver supply and food donations and much more.

Pictured are members from the Shiloh Police Department and staff. The Village of Shiloh Police, along with others like the O’Fallon, Fair-view Heights and Collinsville Police Departments, as well as many others, have made several trips to the Ferguson, Mo., region to deliversupply and food donations and much more.

tional cases involving in-truders in the school sys-tems and individuals enter-ing the schools with inten-tions of harm withweapons, Monroe said aproduct offered by a Hud-son, Ohio-based companycalled Bearacade could bevery beneficial to CentralDistrict 104.“It could save lives,”

Monroe added. “Plus it’scommon knowledge thatthe principal and all teach-ers have master keys to theclassrooms, so it’s some-thing to think about.”In the event of an intrud-

er, Monroe said ideally staff

are instructed to lock them-selves into classrooms withchildren if an exit plan is notfeasible, however, this pos-es a major conundrum forthose who don’t make it tothe classroom and comeface to face with an intrud-er.“What if a teacher (or

staff member with a key)gets stuck in the hallwaywith the intruder? The in-truder could force theteacher (or staff memberwith a key) to unlock any ofthe rooms, leaving kids andteachers (as well as staffmembers) at risk,” Monroeexplained. “This device isnot too costly, requires verylittle maintenance and ma-terials, plus, the installa-tion can be done in house

with just some minor drill-ing.”Monroe went on to show

the board and audiencemembers the informationalpacket providing depic-tions of theDoor Bearacadedevice while answeringquestions.“The device is not large

and sits on the wall next tothe door and in the eventthis happens, someone des-ignated to do so will slide itacross the (bottom of thedoor) and drop a small half-inch metal pin into the holein front of the door and shutit fast—the conferencedemonstration took onlylike 3 or 4 seconds tops, andthe video they had to gowith the presentationshowed (actors) assailants

shooting the device withAK-47’s and 9MM, and oth-er weapons, without thedoor opening or the devicefailing.”Monroe added that he’s

had conversations with oth-er administrators, such asSuperintendent John Bute,about the device with posi-tive feedback. The cost ofthe device was quoted atabout $49 per classroom,which one board memberpointed out would pan outto about $2 per student.

IN OTHER BUSINESS:Minutes of the Nov. 10

regular meeting.December 2014 bills

and payroll to be paid.Approval of Consent

Agenda.

Approval of 2014 TaxLevy.

Approval of the firstreading of Board Policychanges regarding Policy7:270 - Administering med-icines to students, whichSuperintendent John Butesaidwas reviewed twoyearsago and is in line with thecurrent practice and proce-dure according to statestandards. Final readingand adoptionwill take placenext month, Mon., Jan. 12.

Approval of employ-ment of Todd Porter as girlsassistant basketball coach.

Under the Superin-tendent’s report, Bute re-minded board members ofthe opening of bids in Feb-ruary 2015 for the regradingandmitigation to the gravel

parking lot for buses to aidwith flooding. Construc-tion is expected to begin atthe end of March 2015 andcommence by the end ofMay 2015.

Noactionwas taken fol-lowing a brief 10minute Ex-ecutive Session involvingthe appointment, employ-ment, compensation, disci-pline, performance or dis-missal of a specific employ-ee.The next Central School

District 104meeting will beat 7 p.m., Monday, Jan. 12,at the District Office nextdoor to Central ElementarySchool at 303 Hartman Ln.

SAFETY |Continued from Page A1