Education agency paid $860 for third panic button

BOISE (AP) - Records show the Idaho Department of Education paid more than $800 in March to have a third panic button installed at the agency's office in Boise.

The Times-News reports the department paid Allied General Fire and Security Inc. $868 to install the device to help protect staff near a public entrance to the building.

Education Department Spokeswoman Melissa McGrath says staff requested the security measure last year, but costs prevented immediate installation.

Ultimately, installation coincided with an increase in public unrest over education reforms promoted in the 2011 Legislature by public school chief Tom Luna.

Luna's proposal sparked emotional testimony, protests and rallies statewide and even a case of vandalism to Luna's own vehicle.

McGrath says the timing is a coincidence and not directly related to public unrest.