KATHARINE SCHROEDER FILE PHOTO | The Greenport school board discussed new security measures during its monthly meeting Wednesday night.

Greenport school superintendent Michael Comanda gave an update Wednesday about new district security plans, including new radio sets, a video camera system at the main entrance and emergency response drills.

During the school board’s monthly meeting, a handful of people listened as Mr. Comanda presented the district’s Safe Schools Against Violence in Education committee’s security recommendations.

The SAVE committee, which was formed under federal guidelines, held a closed meeting last week to discuss improving security measures following the Dec. 14 elementary school shooting in Newtown, Conn., in which 27 people were killed including 20 elementary students.

The district has also spent $3,800 to improve a security system at the main entrance. Mr. Comanda said the current setup is problematic because it’s linked to the main office’s phone system. If the two phone lines are occupied, then a person trying to buzz in from outside the main entrance won’t go through, he said.

Once the new video camera security system is in placed at the main entrance, two five-inch video monitors will be installed at the main office.

In addition, Mr. Comanda said the district is in the process of replacing its handheld radio sets with either shoulder or earpiece sets because the audio quality is much better than with the walkie-talkies.

School board vice president Daniel Creedon said he’s in favor of the new sets because he believes they will be less disruptive to students.

“When they are walking in the halls during classes, the sound from the radio is disturbing and loud,” he said.

Mr. Comanda said the district is working with the Southold Town Police Department and Greenport Fire Department to improve emergency response procedures.

The district has scheduled practice lockdown and evacuation drills for later this month.

jennifer@timesreview.com