LISBON – A majority of School Committee members Monday night agreed that upgrading security cameras at Lisbon High School is a top priority.

“The security system at the high school has been planned for a long time and that should be the first thing,” committee member Ross Cunningham said.

This cost is estimated at $30,000, Technology Director James Churchill said.

Other projects discussed included building a playground at Gartley Street School, purchasing a new van for transportation, hiring an additional school resource officer and putting money aside for a new performing arts center at the high school.

According to Superintendent Richard Green, the district has three vans with more than 100,000 miles each.

“We have so many (vehicles) that we bought all at once,” he said. “If we don’t start replacing even one, then they’re all going to need to be replaced.”

The Gartley Street School, a day treatment and alternative education program, has outdated and unsafe playground equipment that is being taken down, Green said.

“The original cost (for a new playground) is around $30,000 and that’s something that could probably be covered by their revenues,” he said.

Chairwoman Traci Austin requested more information on costs related to these projects, specifically adding a second school resource officer.

Green agreed to continue talks with Police Chief Marc Hagan about having another officer.

The next School Committee meeting is at 6 p.m. April 23 at 6 p.m. at the Town Office.

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