Walk-through weapon detection will not greet students when they return to school from Thanksgiving break Dec. 2, contrary to the district’s published intention to pilot a system by that date.
Dr. David Glasner, superintendent, informed staff, families, and students of the Dec. 2 plan in an Oct. 23 email message. “This pilot will provide us an opportunity to test how well the system works, what challenges it poses for students and staff, and if its use might be applicable to other schools and events,” he said then.
The plan emerged after Principal Eric Juli instituted manual metal detection by wand and bag searches Sept. 18, an unprecedented step taken after police arrested an SHHS student who was carrying a gun and attempting to enter the Sept. 13 home football game. Another former student was caught with a knife after turning away from the entry point, where metal detecting wands were in use. Five days later, administrators disarmed a distressed student who was wielding a knife outside the high school as dismissal neared.
However, in a 3 p.m. email message titled “An Update on High School Weapons Detection from Dr. David Glasner,” the superintendent said that “this timeline is not feasible and requires more planning.”
The email message said that the district’s planning thus far is inadequate for “balancing the sensitivity of a system to detect weapons while allowing students to enter the school building in a timely fashion.”
Social Studies teacher Kyle Fleming suspected it wasn’t going to happen. “It didn’t surprise me,” he said.
Glasner’s email indicated that weapon detection will be discussed at the Dec. 10 Board of Education meeting. “During this public discussion, we will share with members of the Board what we have learned thus far in the process and discuss possible next steps and decisions related to the High School main campus,” he said.
Social Studies teacher Yvonne Horstman said the high school’s timeline should be moving faster. “I’m concerned we aren’t moving on it quicker,” she said.
Patty Bena, a math teacher, said she is glad the district is thinking through the decisions. “This is a big change, and we need to do it right,” she said.
In the meantime, according to the email update, beginning Nov. 26, portable OpenGate weapon detection units will be used at the North Gym for basketball games.
Daily bag checks and wand screening gave way Sept. 29 to random screenings that have occurred only twice since then. Associate Principal James Dubsky said he does not know if manual screenings will resume. “I’m standing by for further details as well,” he said. “I received the letter at 3 o’clock. I’m just kind of waiting to find out what the next steps will be.”
Freshman Salma Marzouk said weapon detection is necessary now. “I’m constantly scared for my safety,” she said. “They’ve had so much time to do this and still haven’t. We need this.”
