By Eric Stock

DOWNS – Tri-Valley High School’s planned facelift is about much more than appearance.

The $15 million bond issue that voters in the Downs-based school district approved last month will allow for added security.

“We are talking about student safety and security measures and that was obviously part of the referendum plan too is a safe, secure entryway to make sure we are do things a little differently than we have in the past,” Superintendent David Mouser said. “Whether it’s clear backpacks, metal detectors, whatever, I don’t know what you do to stop these horrific incidents.”

Students at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida are returning to class on Tuesday wearing clear backpacks following the shooting last month which left 17 people dead.

PODCAST: Listen to Scott’s interview with Mouser on WJBC. 

Mouser told WJBC’s Scott Laughlin the school was built in 1979 during a time when schools were built with an open concept including multiple entrances so anyone could gain access. Under the new floor plan, there will be one entrance and visitors will need to buzzed in to gain entry.

“The idea (in the 1970s was) everyone comes in, with multiple entrances,” Mouser said. “Today what we want to be able to do it is have everyone check in to gain any access into the building.

The work is scheduled to begin this summer and be finished by the 2020-21 school year.

Eric Stock can be reached at [email protected].