Local school officials will meet with a North American principals' union next month to discuss school security.

Chief Education Officer Joseph Christopher revealed this yesterday at the weekly Hamilton Rotary Club luncheon at Pier Six.

The National Association of Secondary School Principals will hold a conference in Bermuda in March to focus on creating a secure school environment, Dr.

Christopher said.

"This is one of a series of conferences which the NASSP has in Bermuda each year, bringing school administrators from North America to discuss issues of concern to them,'' he explained.

The Education Ministry, he added, collaborated with the NASSP so that security would be selected as the 1997 theme.

"It will enable us to have local educators gain a broadened perspective on how other school systems are dealing with this issue,'' Dr. Christopher said.

Although the Island's first senior secondary school, Cedarbridge Academy at Prospect, will not have metal detectors, the school, which can accommodate 950 students, will have a security system.

Education Ministry spokesman John Morbey told The Royal Gazette last spring that security plans for the school included video surveillance cameras in corridors and the cycle parking area.

Every classroom will be linked to an intercom system. And Mr. Morbey said the system could be connected to telephone lines if needed.

The security system will also include a video monitor in the computer room and several rooms will only be accessible by coded cards.

Yesterday, Dr. Christopher, in his speech entitled "Education: Our Vision for the Future'', told Rotarians the restructured public school system will help students make more-informed career choices.

He said the process will begin in preschools with students having exposure to the various career options open to them.

The middle school curriculum, he said, will also offer a full range of courses to appeal to students who were at an age when they were "most curious''.