OXFORD – The Oxford Hills School District is discussing how to improve school security while keeping the district’s buildings as inviting places for the community.

Major issues of concern are remote classrooms and entry points for handicap students.

During a presentation to the school board Monday, Superintendent Mark Eastman discussed how to better control the schools’ main entry points. Ideas are to lock the doors during the school day and use an intercom system for access. Also, the school is looking into additional security cameras.

The district is planning a day next year where all the buildings will practice lockdown drills. During this time, the school would act as if there was an intruder in the building. Students would gather in the corners of the classrooms, doors would be locked and shades would be pulled down.

Local law enforcement agencies have completed security assessments of each school. During Monday’s presentation, building and grounds supervisor David Marshall told the board what each of the schools needed.

The cost for security items is a minimum of $1,200 per school.

• Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School: Put a security kiosk near the main entrance and add interior locks for all classrooms.

• Oxford Hills Middle School: Add security cameras, relocate the main office to the main entrance, add interior door locks for classrooms and add window shades for doors.

• Hebron Station, Waterford and Oxford elementary schools: Need security cameras for the parking lot and playground and an intercom buzzer at entry points.

• Otisfield and Harrison elementary schools: Need an intercom buzzer, a camera for the parking lot and playground and better security for remote classrooms.

• West Paris schools: Need an intercom buzzer, a camera for the parking lot and playground and a better way to facilitate communication between the two buildings.

• Guy E. Rowe Elementary: Needs an intercom buzzer and elevator key upgrading.

Madison Avenue and Mildred Fox Elementary schools were not discussed because both will close and students will move into a new building in February.

Eastman said Monday that the board must weigh the necessity of these items with the cost.

“Do we want to maintain a permanent lockdown status at our elementary schools,” Eastman asked the board.

The district is now focusing on training staff to confront strangers.