KUSD committee discusses need for metal detector wand screenings in schools

KENOSHA, Wis. (CBS 58) -- School safety is at the top of parents’ minds across Kenosha County, after two arrests were made in two days at Bradford High School regarding gun materials.

The Kenosha Unified School District Personnel and Policy Committee met Thursday night, Feb. 12, to discuss a proposed policy, hoping to increase safety by screening students.

The safety policy discussed would allow administrators and deans to use metal detecting wands to help search students when there is reasonable suspicion of a weapon.

The committee made it clear they want to see some urgency in enacting this policy, saying it’s long overdue.

The committee says they want to see even more done moving forward, including full weapon detection systems among other precautions.

Michelle Sheely, whose son is a sophomore at Bradford High School was at the meeting, because she says she’s worried for her child’s safety.

After a student was found bringing a loaded gun to Bradford High School Wednesday, she says she won’t be bringing her son back to school.

It’s a decision she says she’s grateful for, after a second student was arrested Thursday for bringing ammo and firearm magazines to school.

“It just really sucks, because you know like I said he’s all about his grades and everything, but his life is more important than going to class right now,” said Sheely. “Of course I want him in class. He wants to be in class. He wants to be in school. He loves to learn, he’s all about school. He just wants to get his education, and I can’t have him in that danger.”

Sheely says she wants to see more done and is even taking matters into her own hands, starting a petition to get metal detectors in all KUSD schools.

The committees feedback will be shared with the school board at their regularly scheduled meeting on February 24th. The policy could be voted on and passed that day.