After Sandy

On Thursday at the Board of Education meeting I will be reviewing some of my observations of how the storm impacted the district.  I also will ask the Board to consider some recommendations.  Here is my list; please add to my items of add any I may have missed.

Communications- Obviously the most critical item during any crisis. 

Issues:  Power loss and Internet loss.

Difficulties- School messenger calling system requires an internet connection as well as a phone line.  If you do not have both you cannot use the system.  Since the Network Operation Center (NOC) and my home lost power it was very difficult to send calls out.  On Tuesday I went to the local Starbucks (which was closed) and accessed their internet from outside the store.  It worked fine.  The next day when the store opened hundreds of people were using the Wireless access point and I was unable to send the message.  After repeated cell phone calls to Catherine I finally got through and she was able to send the message for me.

Recommendations:  

• I am suggesting the District purchase a 4g service for an existing ipad for emergency purposes.   This would provide internet capabilities on a district device to send school messenger calls
• The district needs to explore a secondary (emergency) source for internet services.  Right now we are part of BOCES BoTie and are dependent on them for connectivity.  If they lose connection, we lose connection.  Having a back-up will maintain school email and provide additional communication.

Power-   I do not think it is feasible or cost effective to install generators in all of our buildings.  I do think critical areas do need generators.  The NOC is a good example.  Since our phones, internet and data all reside in one spot it makes sense to have a generator in case of emergencies.  Coupled with the communication recommendations this would make the NOC the “command center” for the district.  In theory all of the items that failed during the storm would have back-ups thereby keeping critical communication aspects up and running.

Gas-  We do not have a dedicated place to fuel district vehicles.  Some districts have their own pumps, we do not.  We contract with a company called “fuel man” that issues credit cards for our drivers to refuel. It is a cooperative bid that several district use.  In the case of buses, very few stations are big enough to accommodate 40 foot buses and will accept the Fuel man card. We currently refuel on Jericho Turnpike and Brush Hollow Road in Westbury (6 miles one way).   I would like to begin conversations with the village to explore the possibility of using their pumps (if the buses could fit).  If that cannot work I would then explore joining other districts to enter a contract with a more centrally located station.