Syracuse, N.Y. (NCC News) — A former Syracuse schools educator is questioning the district’s plan to use metal detectors at some school entrances.
The Syracuse City School District last month proposed a new safety plan for the upcoming school year that includes mental health assessments, cyber security measures, and entry screenings to prevent weapons in school.
A parent and former teacher in the district, Alyssa Haymore, was the lone speaker at a July 27 board meeting on the proposal. She said she is worried about the potential disparities that could be created by placing an emphasis on metal detectors.
“Is there data that’s backing which middle schools get it?” Haymore said. “Cause it just says ‘upon request,’ and I know that Brighton Academy has metal detectors where a majority of our Black and Brown students are, so they’re being policed.”
More than 90 percent of Brighton Academy’s population is students of color, according to state education data.
Haymore claimed other schools in the district with lower minority enrollment do not have metal detectors and specifically named Syracuse Latin and Ed Smith.
“I don’t see metal detectors at Latin or at Smith where a gun was brought into school this year,” Haymore said.
The public will have four weeks to comment on the proposed plan before the board makes a final decision.
