A report on the 800 security cameras and other technology initiatives funded by the bond issue last year included the use of the security cameras by Principal Johnny Vitrano of Fontainebleau High School.

“The cameras have certainly been a tremendous addition to our arsenal to keeping the schools safe,” said Vitrano.

In addition to saving time in disciplinary matters, he said the cameras have helped provide positive reinforcement for students who attempt to stop fights and show kindness to others. Vitrano gave his presentation to a meeting of the Committee as a Whole for the St. Tammany School Board Thursday night.

All the administrators in each school have access to all cameras at their school. In addition, Louis Boullion, director of information technology, reported that his department is working to set up a tie-in at the central office so any of the 800 cameras can be accessed by the administration.

School Board Member Michael Dirmann said, “It is clear that we did not use the same company as New Orleans with the security cameras.”

Boullion continued with other technology advances he and his staff have made as a part of the technology funding of the bond issue, including the use of wireless accessibility throughout the system.

Channel 13 is producing more shows than ever before, said Melody Swang, director of broadcasting for the St. Tammany Parish School System.

In a video recap of the year’s activities, Swang said that the videos of school and school board events serve as a video record of the school system’s history.

Available on Charter Channel 13, events of interest to parents, teachers, students and the general public are shown, including school board meetings.

The program was given as part of the Committee as a Whole meeting of the St. Tammany Parish School Board held on Thursday night.

Swang said that one of the most successful areas of the station is in sports.

This year they broadcast about 100 hours of original sports shows, including interviews with former coaches and players and a coach’s show with current coaches.

The station also highlights the cultural events at schools across the parish, including concerts, plays and recitals.

One project the station is working on is a recruitment video geared to attracting top teachers from surrounding states to the school system.

They also produce public service announcements that run on other channels highlighting alumni and current awards the school system has earned.

This year, they produced a video that was shown throughout the school system and on the station that emphasized the legal consequences of sending or leaving threatening messages and a separate video on drunk driving.

In addition, each commencement exercise is recorded and aired, including the adult education ceremony.

Swang also announced that there would be a summer video camp July 6-10.

She emphasized the success of Channel 13 is a success due to teamwork — teamwork of the station employees, as well as the school system administration, faculty, staff, students and parents.