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Resident urges board to resist expanded school security, says schools remain safe
Summary
During public comment at the Sept. 25 meeting, resident Norman Sheinberg argued that schools are broadly safe and criticized increased security measures and armed guards, citing national statistics and incidents; the board did not take action in response.
Norman Sheinberg, a South River resident, used the public-comment period at the Sept. 25 Board of Education meeting to criticize what he described as an expanding industry of school security measures and to urge the board not to adopt what he called "prison-like" security policies.
Sheinberg said he was reporting on school shootings for the 2024–25 school year and cited national figures and specific incidents. He told the board there had been one school shooting in New Jersey while schools were in session during the 2024–25 period — he identified that incident as an accidental discharge by a security guard on May 16, 2025, at Midland Elementary School in Paramus, and said no one was injured. He also cited other incidents outside New Jersey that he said involved accidental discharges by school-resource officers or police, and he summarized national statistics he said showed more fatalities off school grounds than on school grounds.
Sheinberg argued that most school shootings happen outside school buildings (parking lots, yards or outside areas), last seconds and therefore are not deterred by interior security measures such as armed guards, metal detectors or lockdown procedures. "Schools are incredibly safe," he said, and urged the board to resist measures that, in his view, reinforce a perception that schools are dangerous.
The board did not adopt any policy changes during the meeting in response to the comments. The public-comment period was followed by no executive session, and the board adjourned after taking the consent and routine business votes.
Why it matters: Public comments at school-board meetings provide a record of community concerns and priorities. Speakers may present data or claims that the board and the public may verify or respond to at later meetings or through follow-up from district staff.
