The School Committee, along with Mayor Joshua Garcia and Superintendent Jackie Glasheen, discuss adding permanent metal detectors at both high schools in the city.
Photo credit: Holyoke Media
HOLYOKE — Holyoke High Schools may add an extra layer of security after Mayor Joshua Garcia proposed that the school administration explore options for installing permanent metal detectors at both high schools.
During the Sept. 14 School Committee meeting, Garcia explained that there is no current position for or against adding the metal detectors. Rather, this is an exploration phase to analyze potential permanent infrastructure, costs, policies and procedures.
The order came after a “swatting call” placed Holyoke High School into lockdown on Aug. 27. On that day, a 911 call from an unidentified source reported that someone may have a firearm in the school. The Holyoke Police Department found no evidence of that, however, and all students and staff were reported safe after a lockdown and search of the school.
Garcia shared that his proposal was partially in response to the recent incident, but he also added that metal detectors have been discussed in the city for years.
“Obviously, there was an incident that took place; there was a lot of speculation of what should of, would of, could of, how come, why not,” Garcia said. “This has come up multiple times over the past some odd years I’ve been involved in this community, so I think this is just an opportunity to expand that conversation, explore options.”
Garcia also said the decision will come down to the information the school administration finds and whether the School Committee deems metal detectors to be feasible and beneficial.
“If it turns out to be something that is not feasible or something that we don’t value, that’s a decision of the body,” Garcia said. “It’s something that maybe we find that it’s good; it’s going to be helpful depending on the result. That’s a decision of the body, but that’s the intention is to show the community that we’re taking this concern seriously; we’re looking under the stone; possibility, practice, and we’re talking about it at minimum.”
School Committee member Patty Lubold amended the motion, adding that the Holyoke school administration explore options for improving school safety and security at the high schools, including adding permanent metal detectors. The amendment, which was approved, also said the administration will share options with the School Committee for discussion.
Garcia said he liked the change because it allows the district to not only study metal detectors, but alternative options as well.
Holyoke Public Schools Superintendent Jackie Glasheen said the district currently has portable metal detectors that can be utilized if there is a threat or if a threat was made. She explained that the principals at each high school will conduct random searches the next day if a threat occurs.
In that instance, kids will line up, have their backpacks checked and walk single file through the portable metal detector. If the detector beeps, someone can check that student with a wand for further investigation.
Glasheen said the problem with that method is it delays the start of school because 880 kids must go through a single metal detector. Glasheen shared that other schools have weapon detectors that don’t go off for a belt buckle or phone but will go off if someone has a weapon.
“There are schools that do use that, and kids just walk through, and it doesn’t hold up the whole start of the school day,” she explained.
The item was referred to the Finance and Operations Subcommittee for further discussion and investigation.
