Excel Recycling helps pay for security system at Freetown school

FREETOWN – Excel Recycling donated $8,720 to the Freetown-Lakeville Regional School District to fund new security measures for Freetown Elementary School.

Excel owners Marty Costa and Jon Costa, along with family, presented a symbolic check during Wednesday’s School Committee meeting.

“We take security extremely seriously. This allowed us to move ahead much more quickly. We’re very grateful for this generous contribution,” said Jean Fox, committee chair.

Excel Recycling — a scrap-metal processing company located in Freetown’s industrial district — approached her because they wanted to give back to the community and wanted to know what was needed the most in the district.

“One of the first things we had been through with our budget was how we couldn’t fix the security problem at the elementary school, and this is a time where security at school is extremely important to all,” said Fox.

“This is something we wanted to do for a long time. We think everybody is concerned for the safety of our children. As a father and a grandfather, I am extremely concerned, and we all felt this was the best place to donate,” said Marty Costa.

Fox and Superintendent Richard Medeiros clarified that the elementary school’s original surveillance system was functional, just antiquated. The system was installed in 2001 and is the oldest system in the school district.

The new system, installed and operational as of last week, is state-of-the-art, Medeiros said. It not only covers all the entrances, but also key high-traffic areas inside the building. In addition, police will now have real-time access to the security feed.

Medeiros also announced that Assawompset Elementary School in Lakeville is being upgraded with the same system as Freetown. It is scheduled to be completed within the next 10 days. The donation from Excel Recycling is not funding this new system; this measure is the result of time and opportunity.

“We expanded and have been doing some additional security work as a result of their generosity. The benefit goes beyond that one piece,” said Medeiros.