In a statement, CMS detailed some of the changes the public can expect in the near future, including possible body scanning equipment. At the same time, the district defended its screening program.
“CMS believes random screenings are an important tool as part of a multifaceted safety program,” Smith said. “We recently introduced the Say Something anonymous reporting system, and training sessions for students in grades 6-12 will be complete at the end of this week. Distribution and implementation plans for clear backpacks for high school students are being finalized. This is important because almost all guns found on campuses in the first semester were inside backpacks. Some of our schools have instituted programs where adult volunteers monitor hallways and common areas. We soon are likely to announce the installation and implementation of body scanning equipment in some of our schools. Additional efforts to add to the overall safety platform will be announced soon, and will include direct-to-student communication about the importance of avoiding violence.”
Records show CMS confiscated more over-the-counter medication than anything else, identifying the banned item 187 times. Any kind of medications, including prescriptions, are supposed to be reported to the school nurse and remain under the school nurse’s control. District data show the screenings have also turned up 97 vapes, 81 lighters, 79 pepper sprays, 29 knives/edged blades, 27 prescription medications, 14 marijuana/THC, 12 stun guns and 10 drug paraphernalia.
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