ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – Following a series of incidents involving firearms and threats at local schools, Orange County School District leaders are reevaluating safety protocols, including the potential reinstatement of metal detectors.
Alicia Farrant, a member of the Orange County School Board, said it’s important to designate staff for any new weapon detection systems.
“If we were to bring it back, we just need to make sure we have hired staff that are designated for those metal detectors or a weapon detection screening system,” Farrant said.
[EXCLUSIVE: Become a News 6 Insider (it’s FREE) | PINIT! Share your photos]
Her comments come after several incidents at OCPS schools, including the discovery of a loaded 9mm handgun in a student’s backpack at Boone High School. Threats also prompted lockdowns at Maitland and Glenridge Middle Schools on the same day, while Ocoee High School saw parts of a gun, including an extended magazine, found in a student’s possession. A precautionary lockdown was also implemented at Apopka High School due to a threat during a pep rally.
Judy Hayes, a parent and member of the advocacy group Mothers Demand Action, described the fear parents experience when their children are caught in these situations.
“Terrifying. Definitely terrifying,” Hayes said.
Hayes, whose child attends Boone High School, believes a more comprehensive solution is needed to ensure safety across all schools, rather than rolling out measures selectively.
“We aren’t putting them in every school, so until we can find a solution across the board and help kids in all schools, it isn’t fair to roll it out in certain schools,” Hayes said.
Farrant echoed Hayes’ concerns about ensuring equity in school safety.
“I think we need to bring up our safety and security again and look at how we are providing the safest environment at each school,” Farrant said. She also acknowledge challenges faced when the district attempted to implement a metal detector program last year. The program was discontinued due to funding and staffing shortages.
“It did not go the exact way we thought it would. What we saw boots on the ground, it didn’t go that way in every school,” Farrant said.
School Board Chairwoman Teresa Jacobs said that the board would be holding another closed-door security meeting to discuss the possibility of implementing another weapons detection system and identifying ways to fund it. In addition to exploring these measures, board members expressed the need for stricter consequences for students who make threats, aiming to send a strong message.
Get today’s headlines in minutes with Your Florida Daily: