A Shaler Area parent created an online petition for additional safety measures on Feb. 3 after the district suspended a high school student for bringing a pistol on a school bus the previous week.

The 16-year-old suspect was later arrested by Millvale police and turned over to Allegheny County authorities.

Jennifer White, the petition’s creator, said the news was “frightening” to many in the district. As of Feb. 6, her change.org petition had garnered 675 signatures.

But that fright quickly turned to discussions on social media about gathering at the Shaler Area School Board meeting Feb. 12 to demand greater safety measures for district students, she said.

“Everyone was just in total shock that this could happen here,” White said. “I think it just opened everyone’s eyes.”

Though the petition does not list any concrete demands, White said she offered several suggestions for how the district could enhance safety. These include the use of metal detectors, bag checks, gun-sniffing dogs, increased security personal and safety drills.

White, who has a fourth grader and a ninth grader in Shaler schools, said it is not her goal to be “adversarial” to the district, and she said she recently spoke to Shaler Area Superintendent Bryan O’Black. The parent said the conversation went well, and she feels O’Black is taking the situation seriously.

In a recent statement, O’Black said he has received numerous requests for the installation of metal detectors since the incident. The superintendent expressed his intention to study other schools in the region which have implemented metal detectors or weapons detection systems to help “inform recommendations or potential enhancements.”

“We are committed to taking a deliberate and thoughtful approach to this review, ensuring that any decisions made prioritize both safety and the overall educational experience of our students,” he said in the statement.

Though White said she recognizes that the costs of additional security may be a concern, she said she still hopes the large number of signatures will force the school board to act.

“If we don’t do something now, how do we know that if it happens again that it won’t end in tragedy?” White said.

Copyright ©2025— Trib Total Media, LLC (TribLIVE.com)