Mobile County Public Schools unveil new safety plan

Mobile County School Board members announced during their June 26 meeting that several new safety enhancements will soon be put into place.

An enhanced safety plan, which promises to be more comprehensive, includes an advanced weapon detection screening, a revised cell phone policy, clothing, backpacks, and vape detection. In a letter sent to parents on June 26, MCPSS Superintendent Chresal Threadgill said that during the second semester last year, he would make recommendations for safety enhancements and wanted to share those recommendations with parents.

“This research included exploring the most state-of-the -art technologies that are currently available, conducting surveys with all stakeholder groups, and having focus group discussions with students,” he said. “Your input allowed us to make informed decisions about the safety and security of all MCPSS schools and campuses.”

“The security was much needed,” said school board member Johnny Hatcher. “We’ve had several school shootings in the past two years alone. It’s very concerning, and we’ve added deputies at some of the schools. Anything we can do to help bolster this, I’m all for it.”

Major parts of the enhanced safety plan include:

• Advanced weapons detection: The advanced weapon detection screening, called Evolv, has already been installed at several middle and high schools. Evolv is ten times faster than traditional metal detectors, and allows students to move through security at a normal pace without having to empty their pockets. If a weapon or other questionable item is detected, it is noted on a video monitor so administrators can identify or search that student.
• Cell phone policy: MCPSS will enforce existing policy that prohibits students from using cell phones, ear buds, and smart watches during class. This school year, special pouches will be issued to students to store their phones, or the phones themselves will be locked in a special box in the morning and returned to the student at the end of the day.
• Clear backpacks: Clear backpacks will be required at all MCPSS schools starting with the 2025-2026 school year. MCPSS will provide clear bags to students next year, free of charge.
• Halo vape detection: MCPSS will begin installing vape detection devices in middle and high school restrooms and other areas as deemed necessary.
• Hoodies: Hoodies will not be allowed this school year. Schools throughout the system will provide more information.

School Board president Don Stringfellow said the weapons detection system is cost effective considering the number of schools in the system, and personnel will be at the doors manning the systems. Currently, at least 20 of the systems are in different schools at $100,000 each.

“We will have personnel at those doors, be it some of our security officers or resource officers,” he said. “We’ll have people there. It won’t be like TSA, where you have to stop and take your shoes off, stuff like that. As time goes on, we’ll add more sheriff’s deputies if funds are available and if there’s availability.”

Stringfellow said the security plan, which also includes existing security measures in the school system, is “multi-layered.”

“Cell phones are a very big issue, and we’re hoping that the new policy will not only help with distraction, but will help out academically,” he said. “You can’t have kids with earbuds listening to music or texting somebody across the room and not listen to what a geometry teacher is telling you. The number one intent behind the plan is to keep children safe.”

One parent, who wished not to be identified, said she was concerned about the new cell phone restrictions.

“Why wouldn’t you take cell phones from teachers as well?” she said. “You have to lead by example. When school is on lockdown, it can be about an hour before word gets out. Sometimes, the word doesn’t even get out. What if the child had to call his/her parents in case of an emergency?”

Threadgill said that while not everyone would be satisfied with the new measures, they were necessary to ensure students were in a safe learning environment.

“We’re doing this with the best interest of your students’ safety and well-being at heart,” he said in the letter to parents. “We want them to come to school every day to learn, and we want them to be safe while they are in our care. No plan is completely perfect, and anything you do involving safety also involves some sacrifices.”

Courtesy of Call News.