Parents press board on school safety; board says 'no plan' for metal detectors

During public comment at the Hampton Board of Education meeting on Sept. 12, parent Caitlin Collins urged the district to consider additional precautions to keep dangerous items out of school and asked if policies such as clear book bags or other pre‑screening could be explored.

"Is it possible to implement a clear book bag rule?" Collins asked, noting that parents routinely face bag inspections at public events and that parents want cost‑effective measures to reduce risk before an incident occurs. She said parents worry measures sometimes come "after the uh‑oh."

The chair replied directly to the question about metal detectors: "There to be very clear, there is no plan to implement metal detectors at any of our schools," stating the decision is not driven by cost and that the district consults law enforcement and other professionals in making security choices. He added the board had met in executive session earlier that night to review potential enhancements and said the district will continue to work on strengthening safety measures.

Board members reiterated the district's protocol following rumors: administrators and Hampton police investigate quickly, and staff encourage students to "see something, say something" and to seek guidance from counselors if anxious. The chair urged parents to contact building administrators or the superintendent for official updates rather than relying on social media.

The board did not adopt any new security policy during the meeting; public comment concluded with a reminder that ongoing reviews of safety procedures are under way.