South Brunswick Schools Weigh Arming Security Officers

SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ — South Brunswick school officials are exploring whether to allow district security officers to carry guns, though no decision has been made.

The proposal came up during the Board of Education’s Oct. 15 meeting at Crossroads North Middle School. The board’s policy committee discussed the proposed new policy, 7446, which covers the school security program, at its Aug. 6 meeting, according to Steven Corso, the district’s interim business administrator, who presented the committee’s report.

“This policy would allow current district security officers to be armed for the protection and safety of our students,” Corso said.

After discussing the proposal, the committee asked for more information on the costs involved, including expected increases in insurance premiums, higher salaries for armed officers, training, body armor and other implementation expenses. That information will be brought back to the committee for further review at a later date, Corso said.

During public comment, a South Brunswick High School sophomore asked why the board was considering armed security now, and whether it was in response to concerns over incidents elsewhere in New Jersey and across the country.

Superintendent Bernard Bragen said the idea came from the district’s director of school safety and security.

“It’s a proposal,” Bragen said. “We’re going to find out what the implications would be, and the financial implications, and what other policy changes it would necessitate.”

The district has also discussed the proposal with the South Brunswick police chief, who thought it would be appropriate, Bragen said.

“There’s been no increase in any type of maladaptive behaviors that we would think necessitate it, but would rather be preventative than reactive,” Bragen said.

Board President Laura Hernandez said anyone who would be armed under the proposal would be a retired police officer with proper training, and would have to be recertified.

“It’s not just like, hey, take a gun, you know,” Hernandez said, adding that many surrounding districts already have armed officers.

Board member Barry Nathanson said he had heard news of a school shooting in Oregon on his way to the meeting.

“So we always take a look at making sure it’s safe for everyone,” he said.

“When we come to that decision, there’ll be a whole lot more information given,” Hernandez said.

Metal Detector Policy

The board also held a first reading of a revised version of Policy 7444, which covers the use of metal detectors in district schools. The district’s safety and compliance officer reviewed the policy, and the policy committee discussed the revised language at its Aug. 6 meeting, Corso said.

“Just emphasizing once more, this is an existing policy, and we just made some small changes to language within that policy,” Corso said.

The district is drafting a regulation to go with the revised policy, which will be presented at the board’s next meeting, set for 7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 29.

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