Schools
Walk-Through Metal Detectors Slated For William Floyd Schools: District
The decision was made at an emergency meeting Monday, officials said. It comes after cops say a student was found with a gun.
MASTIC BEACH, NY — The William Floyd Board of Education Monday at an emergency meeting decided to equip all designated entrances in each school with walk-through metal detectors, district officials said in a Facebook post Tuesday afternoon.
The process of selecting the best system has started and installation will begin as soon as possible, officials said in the statement.
The board and district administration will continue to discuss policy and protocol development for this initiative, which will be fine-tuned and shared as the process moves forward.
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"We will keep the community informed as to the progress of this initiative," the statement said.
The decision comes on the heels of the discovery of a loaded gun on a 14-year-old high school student, who was being interviewed by an administrator about possible vaping, authorities said.
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The student, who is not being identified due to his age, was charged with second-degree criminal possession of a weapon and criminal possession of a weapon on school grounds by 7th Squad detectives, Suffolk police said.
He was held overnight at the 7th Precinct in Shirley and was arraigned as a juvenile offender at First District Court in Central Islip on Saturday, according to police.
Increased random weapon checks were increased and a police presence was requested by district officials for the start of the school week on Monday.
At the board's next meeting, there will be a district security presentation, as well as a presentation by a member of the Department of Homeland Security, who works closely with the district on security matters.
District officials said the safety and security of students and staff "is and will continue to be the number one priority."
The next public Board of Education meeting is scheduled for Oct. 29, at 7 p.m. inside the William Floyd High School library.
The investigation into the gun incident is continuing, police said.
Detectives are asking anyone with information to contact the 7th Squad at 631-852-8752.
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