By Andy Klotz, Chief Communications Officer, MCS—
MUNCIE, IN – Despite having very few incidents within its own buildings over the years, Muncie Community Schools (MCS) will soon implement random security checks and locker searches at its high school and two middle schools as part of its regular security protocols. The MCS Board of Directors approved the new procedure unanimously at Tuesday night’s board meeting.
The checks will include “wanding” students with hand-held metal detectors as they arrive at school as well as using specially trained K-9 officers from the Delaware County Sheriff’s Department to determine if any illegal items are being stored in lockers. The new protocols will be conducted by school administrators and security team members.
“We’ve been fortunate that we haven’t had many issues, and we want to do everything we can to prevent a serious problem from occurring,” MCS Director of Public Education and CEO Lee Ann Kwiatkowski said. “Our new security team is doing a great job, but school violence is on the rise all over America and we are trying to be proactive for the safety of our students and staff.”
Last summer, the school board voted to outsource its security duties to Legacy Life Security Solutions, a local company headed up by former Muncie Police Department detective Robert Scaife, who is also the pastor of Union Missionary Baptist Church in Muncie. His 15 team members take a relationship-building approach to security and have all gone through School Resource Officer training as well as de-escalation, active shooter and cultural competency training.
“Muncie schools are not dangerous at all, but we’re taking these steps as additional deterrents that I think parents will appreciate,” Scaife said. “I have family in the elementary, middle school and high school, and I’m confident that they’re safe.”
The security checks will take place at Northside Middle School, Southside Middle School and Muncie Central High School. Their frequency will be determined by district administrators and are expected to begin soon.
About Muncie Community Schools
Serving the local community since 1855, Muncie Community Schools (MCS) educates more than 5,000 students at six elementary schools, two middle schools and one high school while also managing several other educational facilities. Through its unique partnership with Ball State University, MCS strives to maximize each student’s potential so he or she can be a positive, productive member of society. Find out more about MCS or Director of Public Education and CEO Lee Ann Kwiatkowski at muncieschools.org.
