By Amanda Kost
Tyler ISD announces new safety measures in the wake of last week's school violence. It comes less than a week after a John Tyler High School student allegedly brought a knife to school and stabbed teacher Todd Henry to death.
Portable metal detectors are on their way to both Tyler ISD high schools, but the changes in campus security don't stop there.
The district is considering more training for teachers and administrators, fencing to surround the high schools along with having surveillance video monitored real time.
Next Monday the Tyler ISD school board will also consider hiring school safety specialists and look into adding a larger different kind of alternative school.
Tyler ISD Superintendent Randy Reid said it would be used as a violence action center for students who are involved in gangs, and consistently engaged in fighting. Students would have a longer stay and receive more intense counseling at the proposed Violence Action Center.
It was a night for questions and a time to voice concerns about campus security to the head of the Tyler Independent School District. "I've called campus police on children who have been skipping class," said a concerned citizen.
The organizers' goal for the meeting was to create a platform for constructive discussion. "We want to have this opportunity for an honest and open exchange of ideas. We have a lot of persons here and rightly so who don't feel like their voices have been heard," said Melontree.
"That is our job. To not only make it safe, but to make them feel safe," said Tyler ISD Superintendent Randy Reid. Reid announced that the district just ordered three metal detectors. The John Tyler and Robert E. Lee campuses will each have a portable metal detector. The third will float between different middle schools or even act as a second detector at a high school. "We're also going to get a few of the wands, but these are actual metal detectors that are set up. The reason we're ordering portable ones is that John Tyler and Robert E Lee are very difficult to monitor at all doors," explained Reid.
Each detector will move randomly from door to door at the schools. "At one point we might set up at the end of one hallway and funnel everybody there. The kids will never know when these are going to happen or where they will be," added Reid.
Reid said adding portable metal detectors won't solve the problems, but they hope things get better on campus.
