District 227 nixes metal detector wand request

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Updated: February 26, 2012 8:12AM

Rich Township High School District 227 won’t be installing metal detectors at the high schools anytime soon; however, one board member thinks using a metal wand at random might be a good idea.

“I just want to err on the side of caution, and I believe we need to go further with safety,” board member Cheryl Coleman said.

However, district police liaison Nathaniel Motton Jr. said that while there are incidents at the schools, they have not reached the level where a metal detector or wands are required.

“It does give a mindset to our students as far as what type of school they’re going to and the environment they’re in,” he said at last week’s school board meeting. “We want our kids to believe they’re in a safe environment.”

The effect of a policed environment on students is negative, board member Alyssa Hernandez said. Increased security also has a negative impact on the district’s budget, she said.

“I understand you’re concerned with safety and environment of the school, but at the same time you’ve talked about cutting some of the security staff so I’m confused in that regard,” Hernandez told Coleman. “If we’re trying to cut some of the staff but at the same time bolster security — I feel like there is a disconnect there.”

District 227 includes Rich Central in Olympia Fields, Rich East in Park Forest, and Rich South in Richton Park.