Metal detectors are now implemented at Coral Glades High School, students have mixed opinions about the new security measure. The school board passed the new local Broward County law at the start of the summer, and now high school students are finally feeling the effects.
There was negative feedback from the start, especially on the post when they first passed the rule, with students feeling it was unnecessary and unfair. On the first day, the lines were very long and quite excessive. It took some kids over an hour just to get to class. This was new for everyone.
“They make the lines very long and it sucks that it detects binders,” says Daniel Sobaum, a freshman. “If they refine it more I can see it working out, but it is not efficient.”
The newspaper team at Coral Glades High wanted to get true and reliable feedback from students. We interviewed students from every grade level. The overall trend of feedback was adverse.
Dylan Wright is a senior here at Coral Glades High, in his last year he had a few things to say about the newly implemented policy, “Metal detectors are making it slow to get into school after they added metal detectors in the student parking lot, the lines moved a lot smoother. That was a smart idea”.
While schools in Broward County already have metal detectors in schools, the tri-county high schools in Florida will feature them as well, which are Broward, Palm Beach, and Miami-Dade Counties.
“I’m going to be honest, they’re not the best thing. I’m late to my classes every day because of them [the metal detectors],” said Adrianna, a sophomore at Coral Glades. “I wouldn’t be late if they weren’t there.“
Students are being affected by metal detectors, are teachers also?
Mr. Newman, who teaches AICE Global perspectives at the A and AS levels, as well as AP Psychology, had a few thoughts on the matter. “I’m happy with any additional security measures. Especially given the implementation is now going smoothly and not substantially inconveniencing students and teachers”.
A new rule also added was the cell phone ban. Both the cell phone ban and metal detectors have affected our school and overall daily life. In July, Broward County adopted a new policy banning students from using their cell phones, and all personal electronics unless the teacher gives permission.
Parents have also had a say, with the majority of their feedback being negative. Students are unable to contact their parents in times of emergency.
Overall metal detectors and the cell phone ban have come with ups and downs. School life for students is a little more frustrating, but you cannot overlook the positives. The security at Coral Glades High is way better.
