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Berwick Area SD discusses metal-detector policy and hears parents on bullying and LGBTQ-student safety
Summary
The district introduced Policy 709.1 (metal detectors) for discussion and signaled a possible first reading in November; parents urged more transparency about policy development and raised concerns that recent board actions harm LGBTQ students and worsen bullying.
The Berwick Area School District budget committee discussed exploring metal detectors for all four district buildings and signaled that a policy on their use (referred to as Policy 709.1) could appear on the November agenda for further consideration.
An unnamed board representative told the committee the district is "exploring, potential purchase of metal detectors for all 4 of our buildings" and that "if we do move forward, we will need to have a policy that addresses metal detectors." The board member described the item as informational and said there was no vote at the meeting.
During public comment, resident Patricia Lohrey told the board she supported careful consideration of Policy 709.1 but pressed for transparency about how the policy reached the agenda: "I did not see a public meeting of the policy committee advertised anywhere. How was it determined that this policy would be taken up by the school board?" She also urged improvements in hearing accessibility and consistent microphone use so all attendees can hear.
Earlier public commenters and a parent, Christina Culver, connected the security discussion to broader concerns about student safety and bullying. Culver said families have removed children from district schools and argued some board policies "further your political agendas, which just so happened to harm our most vulnerable children," specifically naming LGBTQ students as affected.
Board members and staff clarified that an executive session had covered security topics and that tonight’s reference to metal detectors was meant to bring the issue to the board’s attention rather than to enact policy immediately. The committee said it will continue deliberations and, if a decision is reached to pursue metal detectors, bring a formal policy to the board for a future vote.
The board is scheduled to meet next on Nov. 3 at 6:00 p.m., when any first reading or formal action on a metal-detector policy could appear on the agenda.
