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District outlines graduation logistics, metal detectors and weapon-detection dogs to boost safety
Summary
Superintendent announced security and logistics plans for upcoming graduations at the University Center in Hammond, including metal detectors, clear-bag rules and contracted weapon-detection dogs; the district urged families to arrive early.
The superintendent told the Tangipahoa Parish School Board that graduations begin tomorrow at the University Center in Hammond and outlined coordinated security and crowd-control measures.
"Our night graduations start at 06:00," the superintendent said. The district will require clear bags, use metal detectors at entrances and deploy a weapon-detection dog program provided under contract with Mr. Gideon. "We will have metal detectors, walking into the university center," the superintendent said, and noted that Mr. Gideon "is gonna bring 2 [dogs] for most of these graduations" and more for larger ceremonies.
The superintendent urged families to plan arrival time because of parking and screening, recommended leaving items such as pocket knives in vehicles, and described a plan to stagger student exits from different gates to reduce crowding. The administration also coordinated with municipal and campus law enforcement for parking and inside/outside monitoring.
Officials noted that more than 900 seniors currently hold industry-based certifications and more than 300 have earned college credit while in high school. The superintendent said about 1,247 students will graduate across ceremonies the district listed, and asked board members to attend when possible.
No formal board vote was taken on the security measures during the meeting; items were described by the superintendent as operational planning coordinated with law enforcement and the Southeastern Louisiana University venue.
