Schools hit by security costs

Grey Lynn Primary's Bill Barker by the security gate to the school perimeter fence, installed to deter criminals. Photo / Janna Dixon

Cash-strapped Auckland schools have been hit with another funding blow after the Ministry of Education cut more than $2million a year allocated for security.

The ministry has not renewed a $2.12m-a-year long-term contract for patrols of 250 schools, forcing principals to pick up the cost from their operational budgets, meant for education.

The contract expired on April 16 - the night a security guard was repeatedly shot with a gas-powered pellet gun while patrolling Onepoto Primary on the North Shore.

The decision has seen schools bombarded with calls from security firms touting for business.

Ministry group property manager Paul Burke said the scheme had been running since the 1990s and ended after schools said it wasn't working.

Many principals acknowl-edged being unhappy with the service provided under the contract but were angry the cost of replacement patrols would divert cash that could be used for books and staff.

Manurewa Intermediate principal Iain Taylor said the old service was "Mickey Mouse".

But he said his new security firm cost $6000 a year.

"I would have used that money on more relevant things like kids' learning." Taylor is also chairman of the Auckland Primary Principals Association.

Somerville Intermediate in Howick will spend the same amount, and principal David Ellery said that would place an extra burden on the budget.

Sunnyvale Primary principal Charmaine Munro - who has spent hours scrubbing graffiti off pupils' murals at her West Auckland school - said she preferred being able to pick her own security firm, but was unhappy about having to spend $7000 a year on it.

Grey Lynn Primary principal Bill Barker organised a private contract with a security firm because of concerns about the service provided under the Government contract.

It costs $12,000 a year but the school hasn't been broken into since.

"You ask, 'how do I keep this place safe for kids?'. That is your first priority, then you know what you have to do, then you block that cost out."

Education Minister Anne Tolley said the decision to end the security contract was made in 2007 and brings Auckland schools in line with the rest of the country.

She said the ministry would still provide assistance for patrols for short-term risks and money that would have gone on regular patrols would be redirected towards schools that applied for help with crime prevention measures.

Dave Randell, principal at Otumoetai College in Tauranga, said his security bill was about $50,000 a year and the money could be better spent on extra classrooms or support staff.

Opposition education spokesman Trevor Mallard said schools would not be happy paying for security themselves.

"I don't know any school that has $7000 that wouldn't be better spent on other things like teacher development."

Greetings, then shot at

A security guard shot by a man wielding a gas-powered pellet gun had just exchanged greetings with his attacker.

The guard was patrolling Onepoto Primary on the North Shore on April 16.

Detective Shane Page of North Shore CIB said the guard had tried to tell the attacker, who had demanded $20, he had no money, but the youth fired a volley of shots, hitting the guard's face and arms, before fleeing.

The offender is male, aged 16 to 25 with dark skin. He was 1.7-1.8m tall, with a medium to athletic build and oval-shaped face. He wore a dark bucket-style hat, dark top and long pants.

The guard is back at work.

anna.rushworth@hos.co.nz