Effingham County elementary schools soon may have new safety vestibules at their front entrances.

School board members approved a proposal from Pope Construction to install the measures at seven elementary schools. South Effingham Elementary already has one in place.

“If the materials are in, they think they can get it done by the end of spring break,” said Slade Helmly, executive director of administrative services.

The construction company, which is also the construction manager for the STEM academy at the Effingham College and Career Academy and the future Rincon Elementary School, indicated there will be work done over some weekends.

“I think this is something that can happen very fast,” said Superintendent Randy Shearouse.

There are different designs, based on the different entrances of the schools. The vestibules allow for faculty and staff to enter by using an electronic swipe card, and front office personnel can control access to the building for visitors.

“South Effingham Elementary has one and it’s working well,” Shearouse said. “They are very happy with it.”

Shearouse said the school system saw a need for the safety vestibules while taking about the next generation of the educational special purpose local option sales tax.

“We heard from our parents in the past about not having safety vestibules,” he said.

The total cost for the vestibules is projected at $127,274. For Guyton, Sand Hill and Ebenezer elementary schools, each will cost $23,122. At Blandford, Marlow and Springfield, the price for the vestibules is $15,958 each. The vestibule at Rincon is expected to cost $10,034.

While there is no contingency for any overruns built into the price, Helmly added the cost projections from Pope are routinely accurate.

“They are pretty good people with pretty good firm numbers,” he said.