The discussion of implementing a weapon detection system initiative throughout our school system has been ongoing for a couple of years, and is part of a broad, multifaceted effort to improve school safety.
Last year, the school system acquired weapon detection systems to use at large gatherings such as athletic events and commencement ceremonies. The systems have also been used on a daily basis in smaller programs like summer school, Evening High School and Choices Academy to build experience with them while continuing to explore a potential expansion of their use. The initial acquisition of 11 weapon detection systems has given the school system a good opportunity to see how they work in school and event settings and to appreciate the added layer of security that they provide.
An example of one of the 11 weapons detection systems currently in use in Wicomico Schools.
Weapons detection systems provide an added safety layer, serving as a visible deterrent and preventing weapons from coming into school buildings and events. If a weapons detection system does detect a weapon, there can be an immediate, early response to any threat. The systems can also enhance psychological safety, building a culture of prevention, preparedness and awareness with students, staff and families.
The consensus of the Board of Education at its work session on Sept. 30 was that Board members agreed with the Superintendent that weapons detection systems are needed in all schools, programs and offices the public visits. The Board would like the Superintendent and his team to continue to move toward an expanded weapons detection system initiative by pursuing funding to put these systems in all schools, programs and offices that have visitors on a daily basis.
Funding is a key part of this safety initiative, which includes not just the purchase of the weapons detection systems but training and staffing for their use. While grants have already been pursued, the school system does not currently have funds – estimated at $6 million — for expanding weapons detection throughout the system. Securing funding for this expansion of the weapon detection systems initiative will be a focus moving forward. At this early stage there is no timeline to share.
As Superintendent of Schools Dr. Micah Stauffer shared with the Board of Education in his report at the Sept. 9 Board meeting, he was extremely concerned about a weapon being brought to school at Parkside High at the start of the school year. He stated that this was absolutely unacceptable. In response to this incident we:
- Commend the Parkside Administration and School Resource Officer for handling the situation so quickly in the front office of the school. There was no disruption to the rest of the school, and the matter was handled so that all students and staff were safe.
- Note that we have been adding school security measures to our schools now for several years, including secure entries and vestibules; 20 campus school security team members in our high schools; and a total of 12 School Resource Officers now serving throughout our school system. We have also upgraded our cameras, installed door and window security film, improved our security procedures, and we acquired 11 weapons detection systems last year. While that number of systems is nowhere near enough to use them for daily entrance into our schools given the school system’s size, we have been using them for large gatherings such as sporting events, graduations, and at the discretion of high school principals.
- Had WCPS Department of School Climate and Safety operate a weapons detection system outside the Board meeting to give the public an opportunity to see them in use and experience the process of going through them.
- Made clear that, moving forward, we have every intention of continuing to move down this path for all of our schools, programs and offices. This most recent incident emphasizes the importance of our current efforts in doing so.
- Noted that there would be a work session with the Board later in the month (Sept. 30, as mentioned above) to share a plan for the devices, staffing and training that would be needed to expand the weapon detection system initiative in our schools, programs and offices for daily use. That plan will now be discussed with county officials.
From the WCPS Department of School Climate and Safety presentation at the Sept. 30 Board of Education work session, three levels of potential expansion of the weapons detection system initiative with estimated costs. The Board agreed with the Superintendent of Schools that Tier 3, for all schools, programs and offices with daily visitors, was the safety goal.
