Walking into school on Wednesday morning, Apr. 22 students encountered new security measures as metal detectors were officially implemented, part of an effort by Kenosha Unified School District to improve security.
Following a deadly shooting in Library Park on Feb. 11, between KUSD high school students and two gun-related incidents at Bradford High School within the same school year the public concern led to calls for increased security at KUSD high schools. Policy 5451 was introduced and passed at the Feb. 12 school board meeting.
On the first day of implementation students entered through designated entrances where staff monitored the screening process. Students passed through metal detectors before class, with the main entrance appearing more crowded than usual. There was an eight minute delay to enter the school for students without needing additional screening.
As students adjusted to the new procedures, many noted changes in how efficiently the process operated after the first day.
“It was slow the first day due to it being new and that everyone kind of forgot so they all came at the same time making it go by even slower,” said Kyle Tiebout (12). “The rest of the days so far have gone by pretty fast due to the students and the staff having a more organized operation and making the line go by pretty fast.”
Tiebout noticed that on the first day of the metal detectors the line for entry was backed up down the sidewalk to where students get dropped off by buses. A concern for students regarding the detectors was how it would impact morning routines.
“These last two days it has gone by a lot faster cause I walk in at like 7:10 and I only wait like a minute in the line before I go through the detectors,” Tiebout said.
Natalie Becker (9) also claimed that her morning routine remained unaffected by the metal detectors.
“ I can still do my makeup and get ready for school in the same amount of time,” said Becker.
While some students reported that their routines remained the same, they also provided details about how the screening process worked and what types of items that set off the detectors.
“It was confusing that notebooks if the spirals faced the same way cause it’s not fully metal or like it’s not a lot of metal, so having that make it go off was a little confusing,” Tiebout said. “As well as just small things in your backpack that you forget or that you didn’t expect to set it off like charging cords.”
In addition to describing how the detectors functioned, students also addressed how the new measures may impact safety and the overall school environment. The long-term impact still remains uncertain.
“I think it won’t change our school environment that much, but definitely will decrease in being anxious coming to school,” Becker said. “However, with it being my first year in high school it feels weird.”
