New Security Measures for Schenectady Schools: Weapons Detection Systems Coming Soon!
The Schenectady Board of Education has decided to introduce new security measures by installing weapons detection systems at schools across the district.
This move follows several safety incidents since the start of the school year, which have raised concerns among parents and school officials.
From schoolyard fights to social media threats and even a knife fight that left two students injured, Schenectady schools have faced numerous issues this year.
These incidents have driven the district to take action to ensure the safety of students and staff. The school board has also held open meetings and a listening session with parents and caregivers to address these concerns.
District Director of School Climate and Safety Jeff Russo has proposed that the district use a $500,000 grant from the Department of Homeland Security to enhance student safety.
This grant will help fund the new security measures, including the installation of weapons detection systems.
“We basically wrote out what we thought we needed,” Russo said, highlighting the district’s focus on prioritizing safety.
The school board approved the plan to purchase and install weapons detection systems by a 6-1 vote.
The systems will be installed at four schools within the district. However, board member Jamaica Miles voted against the decision, raising concerns about the potential negative impact on marginalized groups.
Miles expressed her worries about the plan conflicting with the district’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policy. “I’m concerned that if we move forward with weapons detection, it will go against the DEI policy that we currently have,” she said.
Miles emphasized that the weapons detection initiative could disproportionately affect marginalized groups, which goes against the district’s DEI goals.
Russo stated that the Request For Proposals (RFPs) for the weapons detection systems have already been sent out, and he has been exploring different technology options. “I compared four different companies,” Russo said.
One of these options includes a traditional metal detector, while the other three use artificial intelligence (AI) technology. The AI-based systems consist of towers that individuals walk past, and the technology works with a tablet to detect any weapons, including firearms or pipe bombs.
However, Russo noted that knives remain difficult for these systems to detect due to their smaller size and lack of a specific shape.
Russo explained that the AI weapons detection systems would be used alongside other screening techniques, but reassured that there are no plans to search student bags routinely.
“We definitely do not want to get in the habit of searching through everybody’s bag,” Russo said. The goal is to get all students into the building safely without creating an unwelcoming atmosphere.
Amid heightened concerns, Russo said he wants to expedite the process of selecting and installing the new security technology. He hopes to have the equipment in place by the new year.
“Once we put this out to the companies and those who are interested, we’re going to invite them here for what we’ll call a safety fair,” Russo said.
The safety fair is expected to take place at the end of October, and the public will be invited to observe the different systems and provide input.
Following the safety fair, the district will make a selection and begin the implementation process. Russo mentioned that they would likely hire additional staff and provide training for the new security measures.
The target is to equip the high school with the weapons detection system by the end of December so it can be operational by the start of the new year.
Once the system is successfully installed and operational at the high school, Russo says they plan to expand it to the district’s three middle schools. This phased approach will allow the district to address any issues that arise during the initial implementation before extending the security measures to other schools.
The decision to implement weapons detection systems has received mixed reactions. While many are supportive of the increased security, others are concerned about the possible negative effects on the school environment.
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As the district moves forward, it will be essential to balance safety with maintaining an inclusive and welcoming atmosphere for all students.