Winston-Salem (N.C.) district buys 94 metal detectors for middle schools and athletic facilities

The Winston-Salem/Forsyth County (N.C.) school board has voted to spend $307,230 to buy additional metal detectors for its middle schools and athletic facilities.

The Winston-Salem Journal reports that the 94 metal detectors bought are in addition to the 73 that the district already has.

In April, the school district shifted the metal detectors at middle schools to the high schools so that it could ramp up the number of random screenings for the rest of the school year.

Principals will continue to the use the portable metal detectors at their discretion.

“I have no desire to use these every day," says Jonathan Wilson, the district’s chief safety, security & management officer. "We’ll use them randomly or in the case of a threat."

The district recently polled middle- and high-school students on metal detectors and safety. More than 9,000 students responded.

Asked if the use of metal detectors makes them feel safer, about 58% of the students said it made them feel “somewhat safer,” about 18% said “much safer,” and about 16% said “less safe.”

About 60% said metal detectors should be used sometimes or frequently. About 15% said they should never be used.

A few members of the public objected to the metal detectors during the comments period of the meeting.

Valerie Glass, a parent, said the district should spend more time and money getting to the root issue of gun violence.