The Columbia County school system has a number of construction projects under way, but it is unlikely more bricks and mortar will be headed toward Blue Ridge Elementary, which wants to improve its campus security.

The school board recently turned down a request at the Evans school to build enclosed hallways to connect the school's gymnasium and its fifth-grade wing to the main building. According to Superintendent Tommy Price, the project would have cost about $300,000.

Blue Ridge school improvement council members approached the school board with the proposal several months ago. In November, the school was locked down as a safety precaution while police searched for a criminal suspect in a nearby neighborhood.

"I understand what they're saying. It is an expensive task," said Joyce Long, Blue Ridge's principal. However, she said the connecting hallways would allow teachers and pupils to move freely through the 20-year-old school during the security restrictions of a "soft lockdown."

Board members recommended that Blue Ridge representatives contact Westmont Elementary School, which has ornamental iron bars and covers on its connecting walkways. Blue Ridge officials did visit but said they wanted something better.

"You can't really foolproof anything from some kind of forced entry," said Mr. Price, and school board members agree.

"If they're in a situation where they don't feel safe, they (pupils and teachers) shouldn't be going anywhere," board member Wayne Bridges said. "They should be hunkered down waiting for somebody to come help them."

Finances were another deterrent to the project.

Because most of the building fund money has already been earmarked, Mr. Price said a Blue Ridge project would have to be financed with money from the reserve fund.

"Nine or 10 (other schools) have similar situations. We would have to look at all of them," Mr. Price said. The superintendent said security is an ongoing concern. However, he said questions about safety haven't increased in the wake of the shootings at Virginia Tech.

However, Mrs. Long said the incident brought safety issues "closer to home" because Letitie Clark, whose son, Ryan, was one of the victims in the shootings last month, works at Blue Ridge.

"Everybody in the United States is thinking about safety a little more," she said.

Reach Betsy Gilliland at (706) 868-1222, ext. 113, or betsy.gilliland@augustachronicle.com.