LEXINGTON COUNTY, S.C. (WIS) – Some parents are questioning whether metal detectors should be installed in schools across Lexington School District One after administrators found two students with weapons on school grounds.
“It’s just extremely concerning,” one anonymous parent said.
A gun and a knife were discovered at Carolina Springs Middle School. On Tuesday, a student alerted staff that a female student may have had a kitchen knife in her bookbag, which staff later discovered.
Two days later, administrators found a loaded gun in a male student’s bookbag during an unrelated discipline issue. No students were harmed in either case. Both students face charges.
“We need a new policy and new safety measures put in place because obviously the current ones we have, they’re not working,” the anonymous parent said.
There are currently no metal detectors in any Lexington One schools. The anonymous parent said she offered to fund pop-up metal detector systems for the school. She said the district declined the offer.
“We don’t need to wait until a horrible incident takes place before we take action,” the parent said.
Libby Roof, chief communications officer for the district, said installing metal detectors is not simple, as it takes research to make sure the metal detectors work effectively.
“It would certainly change the daily experience of our schools, and we want to make sure if the district moves in that direction that we have lots of opportunity for folks to talk about it and give input,” Roof said.
The district currently uses safety measures including individual school safety plans, school resource officers, and Centegix, a crisis alert system.
District leaders said there are no concrete plans to put metal detectors in schools but said they are open to having that conversation with parents.
On Friday, the district sent out a message to parents through Parent Square, detailing safety protocols:
School safety involves much more than responding when something happens. Lexington One has multiple layers of safety and security in place across our district, including:
- School Resource Officers at every school. Our SROs are sworn law enforcement officers employed by the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department, Lexington Police Department or Pelion Police Department. They provide a visible law enforcement presence while also building relationships with students and employees.
- A dedicated district safety team. Lexington One has a Director of Safety and Emergency Services, two safety coordinators and a district-level team that supports our schools before, during and after safety incidents. They also ensure that our district follows all legal requirements for lockdown drills and include our law enforcement partners in all drills performed.
- Individual school safety plans. Every school has a detailed safety plan that is reviewed annually and includes procedures for a variety of situations.
- Tip Line. Lexington One has a districtwide Tip Line, accessible online, by telephone or by email, for students, their parents or staff to report school safety concerns or the improper use of district resources. Submit a report by calling or texting (803) 636-8317; filling out this form; or emailing 1607@alert1.us
- The CENTEGIX CrisisAlert system. We are beginning our third year using CENTEGIX to help employees quickly communicate when assistance is needed and support a rapid emergency response.
- Secure schools. Schools have controlled front entrances, visitor check-in procedures, security cameras and other safety measures.
- Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management teams. Each school has a team trained to assess concerning behavior and determine appropriate interventions and support before a situation escalates.
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