There has been some discussion among community members of installing metal detectors in our school to crack down on possible weapons brought into the building by students. Individuals ranging from community members, parents, and students think this would decrease the number of overall fights therefore creating a greater sense of security. However, metal detectors are in no sense needed because Bryan Station High School has not reached such an extreme degree of violence, and the high cost of metal detectors poses a huge problem. Not to mention the possible psychological effect they could have on students and staff.

In schools, students are the main priority. The administration does all they can to provide a safe and stable environment in which students can learn and excel academically and socially. Sometimes, however, extreme steps are taken in an attempt to ensure the well-being and peace of mind of the students and faculty. Over the years schools have explored many different options having to do with security.  Most recently, here at Bryan Station, installing metal detectors at the front and back entrances has been suggested by parents. Advocates expect this option to make it nearly impossible for students with weapons, such as guns and knives, to enter the building and hope that these security measures would allow students and teachers to perform better in the classroom and feel safer about the place in which they work and learn.

But are metal detectors really the answer?

Although they might decrease the likelihood of students bringing weapons to school, they would encourage a heightened sense of hostility between students and staff, cause budget issues, and take a lot of attention from learning.

If metal detectors were to be installed, every student’s day would begin with an interrogation. With metal detectors come security guards who would be required to view each student as a possible weapon-carrier. This would not only create an obnoxious daily ritual, but a suspicious relationship between the staff and students. Most disturbingly, although safety is the main concern, this would probably result in more behavioral issues in the long run because it would appear to the students that they are expected to misbehave.

According to Dr. Burcham, the school psychologist, a typical student could assimilate metal detectors with a psychological problem.  She also says that they could create an uneasy atmosphere in the school.

“Metal detectors don’t create a safe climate,” she says. She also cites a famed psychologist, Hill Walker of the University of Oregon’s Institute of Violence and Destructive Behavior, and how his studies have shown that security equipment such as metal detectors and cameras have not proven to stop violence in schools.

“It’s almost an expectation of ‘we’re expecting our kids to fail’, and we can’t do that,” says Jamie Mills, a BSHS Psychology and AP World History teacher. If metal detectors were added, and students felt like they were expected to fail, then the school could see a huge drop in academic excellence, and an increase in disruptive behavior. They would see lower test scores and grades, as well as lower college and career readiness.

Money is also an issue in this matter because it the purchasing of these metal detectors would be very expensive, even the essentials like books are already hard to obtain. Also, the salary of the new security guards would make a dent in the school’s funds. Overall, metal detectors at Bryan Station would seem to create more problems than they would solve.

Bryan Station does not need the added stress of prison-like security systems. If the safety is such an impending concern to Bryan Station parents, less extreme actions should be taken. Schools all over the country have had huge success in improving behavior with innovative programs like healthier meal plans, outdoor activities and even ballroom dancing classes. Bryan Station has a history of being creative and different, why not try something new?