Hempfield Area makes it easier to search students with security policy update

Hempfield Area School District students and their belongings can be searched at the discretion of the superintendent under a revised policy the school board approved this week.

The changes allow the district to search students and their belongings with metal or weapons detectors regardless of whether there has been a recent security incident at the district. The policy change had been on 30-day review since the end of October.

According to board solicitor Krisha DiMascio, the previous version of the search policy limited the school to conduct searches when there was reasonable suspicion, or at the time of a security incident at the school.

The policy allows daily or random searches, as authorized by the superintendent. The text of the policy clarifies random searches on selected days could be called for “particular safety concerns,” such as “following articulated threats, or on days on which special events such as athletic competitions, social events or dignitary visits are held.”

Anyone who enters the school building would have to abide by the search rules, whether student or visitor. The policy also leaves room for different types of metal or weapons detector equipment.

State regulations give school districts authority to “adopt reasonable policies and procedures regarding student searches,” according to the National Center on Safe, Supportive Learning Environments.

Interim Superintendent Kimberlie Rieffannacht said the policy goes into effect immediately.

Security has been a concern in the district since two unrelated incidents this October, when three Hempfield high school students were caught exchanging two loaded handguns on a bus and in a school bathroom, and a Wendover Middle School student was accused of posting threats on social media to bring in a bomb and “shoot up” the school.

The district formed a security committee in response. At a meeting in early November, board members said they were considering additional metal or weapons detectors while assessing staffing levels and training to make an informed decision on what type of equipment to purchase. It was not clear which buildings would receive detectors or where they would be located.

The district will have its next security committee meeting in the new year, Rieffannacht said.

“We are making progress and looking at options still,” she said of the district’s plans to implement security equipment. “(We’ve) been looking at options, talking to vendors and talking to other districts that have things in place at this time.”

After the gun incident in October, high school students were searched intermittently with metal detectors in the morning upon entering the building. Rieffannacht said there was “no determination at this time” whether the searches would start up again after the approval of the policy change. She noted that the new policy allows the district to conduct those searches beyond the scope of a security incident.

Reorganization updates

At the meeting Wednesday, board members also voted to name Jerry Radebaugh as the new president of the board, and reelected Scott Learn as the board vice president.

Two new board members who were elected this November — Tracy Miller and Jennifer Stape — also were sworn in.