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Another Tragedy Part Two

Submitted by Gene Patterson on August 22, 2008 - 12:34am

Local blogger Brian Hornback points out that Knox County schools already has a set of portable metal detectors. According to Hornback, the machines were essentially mothballed because of legal concerns over their use by a school board member.

That may soon change. I'm hearing that discussions are already underway to use the portable detectors in spot checks throughout the school system.

The key to keeping it legal - I'm told - is to spot check students in a uniform way. Example, picking every 5th student, or 8th, or 20th student who enters the building for a screening. As long as you don't target any specific child or group, I'm told it holds legal muster.

I'm also reminded that many school systems around the country have already instituted the use of metal detectors and weapons still get through. Dr. McIntyre's former school system in Boston, for example, uses them.

So using detectors isn't a 100 percent guarantee to keep guns and knives out of our schools, but it does at least offer some protection. And since we have them, the argument is growing that we use them.

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I have a comment-how come

Submitted by Murray (not verified) on August 25, 2008 - 11:10pm.

I have a comment-how come the shooter with a prior history of crime was not in the school over on miller town pike for kids with problems-they have a medal detector and each and one is wanded-also they have police and are on constant watch both thru montitoring systems and with personal supervision-

The school administration is

Submitted by Bayard J. Donahoo (not verified) on August 27, 2008 - 12:37pm.

The school administration is absolutely at fault here. When the flairup started on the school bus, the driver should have called the office, so the administration could have had someone meet the bus when it arrived on campus. The problem could then have been investigated immediately and a plan implimented.

The school administration should have an active policy to confront problems as early as possible in their evolution, thereby solving them before they worsen. This did not happen here. The school administration should have been ready for the all too predictable problem of arguments/fights on buses.