Highline public schools are safe now and will become even safer as a result of a bond measure passed by voters in March, according to the district's security director.

School safety is on the minds of many parents following several recent school shootings around the country.

Highline voters approved last spring spending $2 million for additional surveillance cameras, fencing and lighting at the district's middle and high schools.

The security improvements were part of a $148 million bond that will also finance the rebuilding of four elementaries and upgrading of technology.

Security Director Tony Zeman noted that technology upgrades include installing telephones in every classroom, which also enhances safety.

District staffers are currently designing security plans and reviewing camera locations for each middle and high school before seeking bids for the work.

"Each secondary school is laid out differently so we need individual plans," Zeman said.

He also noted that schools built before the 1980s were not designed for security so officials have to adapt their plans.

Experience in lighting the schools rebuilt with funds from the previous construction bond has helped in placing ambient lighting for the new schools, Zeman added.

The additional lighting would also allow district security officers on patrol to easily spot people loitering on school grounds after hours.

Night officers equipped with laptop computers could also download images from any camera.

Three officers already have the laptop function, according to Zeman.

During school hours, the cameras are monitored from the school office.

While most middle and high schools are fenced in the back, additional fencing in front will allow building administrators to control access to the campus.

A fence will also mark the school's property line, according to Zeman.

While cameras and fencing help, officers provide the first line of security.

The district assigns two officers to each high school and middle school.

One of the officers at each school has law enforcement training, but is not a commissioned police officer.

These security officers also are available to respond to situations in elementary schools in their area.

The other officer at each secondary school is not armed and may not have law enforcement training, according to Zeman.

A King County Sheriff's deputy is also stationed on each high school campus.

Earlier this year, Superintendent John Welch proposed eliminating funding for the school resource officers as a cost-saving measure.

However, after parents complained and municipalities agreed to budget more money for the officers, they were retained.

"A lot of people are thankful now" that the officers were kept, observed Cameron Lefler, the police officer assigned to Highline High in Burien.

He said students frequently ask him about the school killings,

"I tell them violence has been desensitized," Lefler said. "When you listen to violent music, see violent movies and watch violent news programs, violence becomes second nature."