WS/FCS middle school students share safety concerns at forum

The Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Board of Education held a forum on Tuesday to hear from middle schoolers about their experiences at school.

Students asked questions about dress codes, bullying, school clubs, and language accessibility. But a subject that came up multiple times was safety.

Middle schoolers asked about how the district can ensure students feel safe in their environment and help to reduce gun violence. One student also asked why metal detectors aren’t used more regularly. 

Board Member Susan Miller said she spoke with students who thought more metal detectors at schools would be helpful.

“My group felt strongly that the metal detectors in every school would prevent some of these issues, and help our students feel psychologically safe and physically safe,” Miller said. 

But other members didn’t think that was an efficient or effective solution. Board Member Leah Crowley said student reporting is what works best. 

“You have your ears open, you have your eyes open, you're listening, and you're reporting either what you see on social media or what you hear in the hallways,” Crowley said. “And then the second part of that ‘See Something, Say Something’ is whoever you say something to, they actually got to take you seriously and do something about it. And that's happening in our schools.”

In a school board meeting on March 14, Superintendent Tricia McManus said that four firearms were found on campus this year after students reported their concerns. 

Still, she said the district will survey students across grade levels to see what would make them feel safer at school.

Amy Diaz covers education for WFDD in partnership with Report For America. You can follow her on Twitter at @amydiaze.