Schools across the United States are continuously evaluating their safety and security policies and procedures. Changes made to those policies and procedures are often influenced by school incidents, both those that directly and indirectly impact them.
For some, that means enhancing security technology, such as doors and locks and video surveillance. For others, that means increased security personnel or investments in student well-being initiatives.
Here’s a roundup of recent school security upgrades made by various U.S. schools and districts, many of which were influenced by events that directly impact them.
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Pickens County Schools Adds Metal Detectors, Deputies
In Alabama, Pickens County Schools announced all seven schools would see additional metal detectors and security personnel just days after a Gordo High School student was caught with a loaded pistol in his waistband, WBRC reports.
“A lot of new things coming. We want people to have peace of mind when people come to Pickens County,” said Superintendent Shawn McDaniel. “We will be limiting entrances to schools for guest visitors as well as students to come in and out of the schools.”
McDaniel said the seven new metal detectors will cost around $2,800 — bringing the total to 14 in the school district. He also said the district is considering clear backpacks.
Pickens County Sheriff Jordan Powell said the schools currently have SROs but that more deputies will be placed in and around the schools.
“I think it’s definitely going to be a strain on us, but we are going to do what we have to do to protect our kids,” he said.
Henrico County Schools to Add Dozens of SSOs
Henrico County Schools in Virginia also plans to increase its security staff by adding more than 50 school security officers (SSOs) next school year, WTVR reports. The 53 SSOs are school staff members — not uniformed police officers — and the majority will focus on schools within the district that have open-air walkways or breezeways.
The decision comes months after a 16-year-old Henrico High School student was stabbed outside a breezeway at the school. Parents questioned the security of the district’s open campuses following the incident. Henrico County Schools previously installed weapons detection systems at all of its schools this academic year.
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“I don’t want to give a lot of safety information that would jeopardize any components of our plan that we wouldn’t want publicly known for safety reasons, but the plans are very carefully tailored to the needs of the building, the design of the building, and the outdoor space versus the indoor space,” said Superintendent Dr. Amy Cashwell.
The county is also hiring five new counselors to support its CARES initiative, which is in its second year and aims to improve student and staff mental health. The program was created after more students began seeking services for anxiety, depression, and trauma.
Greely High School Increases Police Presence After Controversial Transgender Social Media Post
Greely High School increased police presence last week after State Representative Laurel Libby made a controversial social media post about a transgender student-athlete at the school.
In a letter to the school community, Superintendent Jeffery Porter said the Cumberland Police Department’s increased presence was not due to a direct threat but rather a precautionary safety measure given the recent media attention on the school, News Center Maine reports.
The post featured the name and photo of a Greely High School student who recently won a girls’ track championship.
“This is outrageous and unfair to the many female athletes who work every day to succeed in their respective sports,” Libby wrote, adding that she wants Maine to comply with a federal executive order on transgender athletes.
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Advocacy groups condemned the post, calling it harmful and unnecessary.
“To do something like this is incredibly harmful,” said Kelly Solberg, Director of Youth and Education Programs at Equality Maine. “It creates this situation where everyone is talking about this one child who is just doing something that they love.”
According to Spectrum Local News, Maine House of Representatives voted Tuesday to censure Libby for the post. Libby defended her decision to post the student’s name and photo.
“There are plenty of photos online – this is not unique. And if you participate in a public sport, you should anticipate having your photo taken and put online,” she said. “Now people are mad that indeed after being told this is not happening and it doesn’t matter that there are boys participating in girls’ sports. Boys taking the place of girls.”
Cumberland Police Captain Mindy Coe said the department will continue to monitor the situation and adjust its presence as needed.
Millcreek Township School District to Update Video Surveillance System
In Pennsylvania, the Millcreek Township School District Board approved a new purchase for a video surveillance system to replace approximately 700 aging cameras, WENY reports. The five-year $756,000 cost includes the new cameras plus software licenses. Cameras that stop functioning will also be replaced and software will be updated at no cost through the term of the agreement. School directors approved the agreement by an 8-1 vote.
“We’ve always prioritized safety and security, and in recent years, we’ve renovated much of our buildings. The camera system is a key part of those efforts,” said Board President Gary Winschel. “While we have cameras in all of our buildings, the most crucial element is the software.”
District CFO Aaron O’Toole said the new cameras have the functionality that the district’s safety and security team recommends. They can detect weapons, track a person through a building, and capture license plates.
The board also unanimously approved the creation of an alternative education program geared towards students who need additional emotional, behavioral, or academic support, Go Erie reports. The district currently pays Erie’s Perseus House Charter School of Excellence about $200,000 annually to provide alternative education for up to a dozen of its students.
The new program will instead be housed in the district’s former Ridgefield Elementary School. It will accommodate up to 24 students starting this fall.
“We can do that and actually be able to save the district money while gaining more seats than we currently have,” schools Superintendent John Cavanagh said earlier this month.
