Security improvements at Marshall Schools were a major topic of discussion at Tuesday evening’s Board of Education meeting, including a move to purchase security film for the district’s buildings.

Board members voted 6-0 to accept a bid of $272,767 to install 12 mil film on all the district’s windows and 24 mil film on doors and entryway glass. The bid was from Safety Solutions by Yellow Frog in St Joseph and was the best of three bids submitted. Superintendent Caleb Petet says the film is the latest step toward improving safety at Marshall Schools.

Petet adds that the film can also withstand the impact of damage from storm debris.

Also at Tuesday’s meeting, the board approved increasing the distance a student would need to live away from a school before being eligible for bus service to a secondary school. Petet says state funding and driver numbers contributed to the increase.

Petet notes that one change is planned for student dropoff and pickup at Spainhower Primary this fall to decrease congestion on East Slater. Buses will load and unload in the front of the building, while car riders will now go to the back.

Additional action from Tuesday’s meeting included adopting the budget for the new school year and agreeing to final transfers and budget items for the 2023-24 fiscal year. The board accepted the lone bid for a new freezer for Bueker Middle School, totaling $60,695, and adopted the handbook and job descriptions for next school year.