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Parents petition for metal detectors at Scott County high schools

There are two petitions asking the district to install metal detectors
metal detector
Posted at 2:36 PM, Aug 30, 2019
and last updated 2019-08-30 17:20:04-04

SCOTT COUNTY, Ky. (LEX 18) — Multiple petitions have been started in Scott County, urging the district to install metal detectors at the high schools after a student was arrested for bringing a loaded handgun.

The student who brought the gun to Great Crossing High School this week was arrested.

"The fact remains that the gun got into the school at 8:45 in the morning and was there until almost 1:00 in the afternoon," said Alishia Young, who started a petition. "One of my son's closest friends was actually in the classroom with the gun with the boy. He could have been hurt, you know? we could have been planning his funeral."

Young is not the only one to petition to install metal detectors. Emily Turner did the same. In less than one day, there were hundreds of signatures combined.

"I know that just getting some signatures online isn't going to change something overnight, but it definitely can make it aware for our board and our staff and everyone to know that we are backing them. We want to keep them safe. We want to keep our students safe and our community," Turner told LEX 18's Alex Valverde.

At a school board meeting Thursday night, Ginelle Lester, who has a child that attends Great Crossing, spoke out about her concerns.

"We send our kids to school every day to get an education, not dodge bullets. It should not have even gotten in the door. That's the problem," she said.

The mothers plan to be at the next school board meeting and are working to get the issue on the agenda.

LEX 18 reached out to the school district and they have not heard back.

You can find the petitions here, and here.